Richa Chadha:I was advised to date actors/cricketer to create image

Richa Chadha, who is busy promoting her upcoming movie Jia Aur Jia revealed that when she was new in the film industry, she was advised to date actors and cricketers to create an image, however, she refused to do it.

While talking to a news agency, the Gangs of Wasseypur actress said, "When I came to the industry, one PR person told me, 'Send a text message to this actor. Go on a date with him'. And I said, 'But he is married!' then this person said, 'Why didn't you send a message to this cricketer? It would have been good for your career, for your PR and public image'".

She stated that she cannot date anyone on a transactional basis. She added, "These are the kind of advice I used to get, these are the things that people tell you when you are from outside world. That's why I have very few friends in the industry".

The actress spoke about her initial days in Bollywood. Richa said, " When I did 'Gangs...' I didn't have a manager, a PR or stylist. There were times when I was told that today we have a success party in the evening, and I would be like okay. And then I would go to a mall in Juhu, buy a dress, wear it there, go to a salon on the ground floor of that mall, do some make-up; that's how I was managing then".

The actress said that outsiders who enter the film industry have no one to guide about such thing, they don't understand about people and have no inroads into the industry.

"For us at least in the initial stage, there is no grooming, there are no advisors to tell us 'don't do this, or do this', or that this film will get typecast, or this film will be good for you. You just make your own way here, so it takes time," quoted the actress. She also said that women don't realise that they need to promote the category, not the brand.

She said, "I can't keep talking about myself. If Sonam (Kapoor) is doing well, I have to compliment her, or if Kangana (Ranaut) is doing well, I have to acknowledge it to promote our category, that's how actresses will get longevity. Otherwise, we will keep fighting among ourselves and in two-three years, some old daddy will come and say, 'I want fresh faces' and we are out! Actors become disposable. I feel female actors have to back each other."

Jia Aur Jia also stars Kalki Koelchin in leading role and is slated to release on October 27, 2017.