17 July,2025 04:40 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
richa
Actress Richa Chadha marked her daughter Zuneyra's first birthday with a poignant social media post in which she shared memorable moments from her motherhood journey. However, her mention of "natural birth" drew anger from several social media users. Richa did not avoid the backlash, instead choosing to defend her statements and address the criticism squarely.
Richa, who is married to actor Ali Fazal, took to Instagram on Wednesday to give a video message of thanks to her daughter. The post, headlined "Thank you Zuni," included a nice video expressing her love and thanks for her child.
The video is a collage of many events, including Ali Fazal stroking Richa's baby bump, trips where the couple spends quality time together, and clips of Zuneyra playing with her cat.
Richa penned a heartfelt caption with the video. She wrote, "For bringing so much colour into all our lives! A year ago I gave birth to a healthy baby girl at Breach Candy Hospital. Labour lasted a few hours, delivery only about 20 minutes, natural birth! Life hasn't been the same since, particularly me."
The Heeramandi actress went on to add, "I feel rearranged from the insides out⦠my brain, my heart, my body, my soul⦠Zuneyra was born a year ago and so was I. Reborn as a mom. An entirely new being, than what existed before. A life and child with the man of your dreams⦠if this isn't a blessing I don't know what is."
While many fans and celebrities flooded Richa's post with love and good wishes, some were offended by her mention of "natural birth". A netizen commented, "Every birth is natural, thanks to science nowadays they're being assisted to help the Mom and the kid." Richa reacted, "If I said normal delivery, you'd have said the same thing."
Another user wrote, "Please the word normal meant everything to every mothers don't say it like that because it hurts others who feel like they don't have the mind and zeal to go through it so saying it like that normal it traumatizing and if you meant the other way around to say normal delivery then even the ones that are Caesarian is normal because over 50% of women are doing it" To which Richa replied, "But what if I don't wanna say vaginally delivery, it is my page and also my vagina and my baby. And feminism taught me to use words of my choosing. So."
Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal had a daughter last July 16. They released a joint statement announcing the baby's birth: "We are tickled pink with excitement to announce the arrival of a healthy baby girl on 16.07.24! Our families are happy, and we are grateful to our supporters for their love and blessings." They have named her Zuneyra Ida Fazal and have not yet disclosed their baby's face.
