24 September,2026 07:53 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal. Pic via Instagram
Richa Chadha has reflected on husband Ali Fazal's career journey, saying his success in 2026 feels particularly special after watching him navigate years of doubt and criticism. The actor recalled Ali's early struggles, the opportunities people questioned and the long road that eventually led to both critical appreciation and commercial success.
Looking back at his beginnings in an interview with SCREEN, Richa remembered a very different phase of Ali's life. "He lived in a shanty, had just a bicycle," she said, recalling the circumstances he came from before establishing himself in the industry.
The actor also remembered the reaction she received when she made her relationship with Ali public. According to Richa, two people from the film industry contacted her and dismissed his prospects, telling her, "This boy will never make it."
Years later, Richa said those early doubts make Ali's current phase all the more satisfying. She recalled how people even questioned his opportunity to work alongside veteran Hollywood actor Judi Dench in the 2017 film Victoria and Abdul.
"From everyone writing him off to almost making fun of him when his film with Judi Dench came out, to see him get both critical love and box office success, I'm very happy," she said.
For Richa, Ali's international opportunity came with its own set of challenges. She pointed out that sharing the screen with an actor of Dench's stature was no small feat. "To hold your own in front of Judi Dench is very hard," she said.
She also recalled hearing people question how Ali had landed the role, saying, "I can tell you that two people had said about that film, âHow did he get this opportunity?'"
Ali's recent work has given that journey another boost, with Mirzapur: The Movie adding to his commercial momentum. Richa, meanwhile, has been finding her own way back to work following motherhood.
Despite their individual career phases, Richa said she doesn't view Ali's success through the lens of comparison. "He's not only my partner, but also my friend. To see him overcome everything is just a very different feeling," she said.
Richa then summed up her affection for Ali with a playful remark, "I've raised him for this very day."
While Ali was last seen in Netflix's Lust Stories 3, Richa is currently shooting for a Netflix India show and preparing to launch Musafiri on YouTube on September 25.
