Exclusive: Follower of Dr Ambedkar wouldn’t say such things, says Richa Chadha on receiving violent threats

The president of the Akhil Bhartiya Bhim Sena, Nawab Satpal Tanwar, recently announced a prize for anyone who successfully cuts actress Richa Chadha’s tongue since he believes her portrayal of a Dalit leader in the upcoming film Madam Chief Minister is problematic. Tanwar has also announced a prize for the abduction of the film’s director Subhash Kapoor. 

Responding to the tweet drawing attention to Tanwar’s comments, Chadha wrote yesterday [translated], “We are not scared.” 

Asked if she would be taking any action or filing a police complaint, the actress told Cinestaan, “I don’t want to encourage their bizarre talk. That’s all I want to say. It is bizarre what he has said. The more we speak about it, the more publicity they will get. And I am not scared of anyone.”

Chadha added, “When someone told me about it [the comment], I felt it was weird. If he were a follower of Dr Babasaheb [Ambedkar], he wouldn’t say something so unconstitutional.” 

Yesterday, fellow actress Swara Bhasker condemned Tanwar’s statements and urged figures from the industry to support the actress. “This is absolutely shameful and to be condemned in no uncertain terms. You can have ideological issues and problems with a film but this is criminal intimidation and incitement to violence. Ambedkarites, Dalit feminists and just sane people- stand up & call this out! Not ok (sic),” she tweeted.