I'm Hindi actress, not Bollywood: Richa Chadda

Mumbai, June 18 (IANS) She is fairly new to the industry but Richa Chadda, who was seen in "Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye", takes objection to the word Bollywood and says she would like to be known as the Hindi film actress.

"I don't like the word Bollywood. I don't want to be called a Bollywood actress. I would like to be called a Hindi film actress... I don't mean to challenge Bollywood, I love it. But I don't think we should derive a name just because there is Hollywood," Richa told IANS.

She is aware that her views can stir up a debate. At the same time, she is proud of the fact that she is part of the film industry that is giving competition to Hollywood.

"We are the only industry in the world that has guts to stand up in front of Hollywood. If you go to Europe, their cinema is suffering. In Japan and China, everywhere cinema has taken a huge hit because of Hollywood. And Hollywood is America's largest export to the world."

"I feel very proud to be part of the industry which has the guts to make big budget, expensive films. We are in good place. Like if 'Avengers' and 'Rowdy Rathore' come together for a release, then also there is no comparison. 'Rowdy Rathore' will still do well," she said.

The actress says Bollywood is an imaginary landscape.

"What is Bollywood? When we go to LA, we see a board - Hollywood, which is a place. We are taking it from there and saying Bollywood... I think Bollywood is an imaginary landscape. Actually, we are working in the Hindi film industry," Richa said.

She will be seen in "Gangs of Wasseypur", which is releasing June 22. The crime thriller was showcased at the 65th Cannes International Film Festival and she says the experience has been great.

"At the Cannes Film Festival, you get to see Marathi, Hindi, Bhojpuri, Hinglish and urban films. Cannes was a beautiful experience, can't describe it. For a newcomer to go there is unbelievable. I feel lucky as my first film as a main lead went there and got appreciation," she added.

The actress wants to do films that would make a difference.

Directed by Anurag Kashyap, "Gangs of Wasseypur" also features Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi and Tigmanshu Dhulia among others.

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