Fukrey 3’s Richa Chadha on her character Bholi Punjaban: ‘She is iconic, strong and different’

It’s recently been announced that the third instalment of the buddy comedy film series Fukrey will be released on December 1, 2023. Directed by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, the film series - starring Pulkit Samrat, Manjot Singh, Varun Sharma, Ali Fazal, Priya Anand, Vishakha Singh, Pankaj Tripathi and Richa Chadda - has become a cult hit over the years. While Fukrey came out in 2013, its sequel Fukrey Returns was released in 2017, and now it’s time for Fukrey 3. Among the film’s beloved characters is Bholi Punjaban (played by Richa). Speaking about the character recently, the actress said that she considers herself “very fortunate” to have landed the role. 

Fukrey is the story of four friends - Hunny (Pulkit), Choocha (Varun), Laali (Manjot) and Zafar (Ali), whose plan to make easy money falls flat when they meet Bholi Punjaban.

“It’s fascinating that a character like this has been written for a woman. I am very fortunate… When I got the film, I was zapped. It was a big deal for me because I had not done a so-called commercial (film). This character in some ways is so overarching that it often eclipses my real-life persona. It is so iconic, strong and different. It was not easy for me to slip into this. Bholi is a narcissist. When kids or women respond to this character, it is very rewarding,” Richa told PTI.

Known for her performance in films like Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and Gangs of Wasseypur, the actress - recalling her visit to the Excel Entertainment office - said, “Gangs of Wasseypur is a different world. From there walking into an office and seeing posters of films like Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya, I felt very nice.” 

Also read: 10 years of Fukrey: Makers celebrate by announcing the release date of Fukrey 3

According to Richa, the victory of Fukrey is in the writing. “These guys (writers) made a world, and every character is so well-defined. I have loved every moment of working on this film, this production house and with this team. It doesn’t feel like a set of co-actors, it feels like family. We are not awkward around each other. There’s no filter and we have bonded well. This is the closest I have been to any set of actors,” she said.

Richa, who married her Fukrey co-star Ali last year, said the film introduced her to the love of her life. “Meri toh shaadi ho gayi. That was the starting point. We got to hang out and get to know each other on sets. But the credit should go to my co-stars. Like Manjot was juvenile, Varun was very focused, Pulkit only talked about fitness, so it was only Ali, who was left to talk to,” she joked.

Also read: Richa Chadha FINALLY drops her Cannes 2023 look, reveals she did hair and makeup all by herself

Adding to that, Ali said he is grateful to have had the opportunity to play one of the lead roles in the movie, which changed his life completely. “It was the first time I was a part of a film that gave us this canvas. Being part of a film, in a lead character for all of us, this is how it feels. The characters have become memorable, and that is one of the reasons why we are celebrating ten years of the film. Otherwise, we would have posted something (on social media). It has changed our lives,” he summed up.