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A never-seen-before interview with Richa Pallod from the early 2000s, looking back into her journey from a child model-turned-actress - from winning hearts with her innocent charm as a kid in films like Lamhe (1991) and Pardes (1997) to later made her adult acting debut in the Telugu hit Nuvve Kavali, earning the Filmfare Award for Best Actress, before stepping into Bollywood opposite Fardeen Khan in the fun, emotional family drama Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein (2002). In this candid chat, Richa opens up about her journey, sharing fun-filled BTS moments, pranks with co-actors and crew, and more. Catch this rare, bubbly interview only on Lehren. #richapallod #nuvvekavali #kuchtumkahokuchhumkahein #fardeenkhan #interview #podcast #unseeninterview #ashoksaraf #bollywoodebut #tharunkumar #dramanaidu #lehren

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Transcript
00:00Fardin used to be very nice to me at times because he used to help me, you know.
00:02Richa, okay, you can breathe right now, relax, don't get hyper because I used to get,
00:06oh my god, oh my god, I'm not doing this shot properly, you know.
00:08Okay, Richa, relax, you can take it easy, he's very cool.
00:12There was a scene where Sharad had to slap me and Fightmaster's like actually slap him.
00:16He's like, my hand is bigger than her face.
00:18How can I even touch her?
00:19I mean, she's like, even if I touch her, she'll go flying.
00:22But I just want to continue doing good films since I love acting, I love dancing,
00:26and I love being around the film industry.
00:28I'm really enjoying acting though.
00:30How did modeling happen and did you always want to be an actress?
00:40No, not really.
00:41I mean, there were a lot of things in my mind, but I knew deep down, I enjoyed acting.
00:45I used to act even in my daily life, so.
00:49Modeling actually happened, I used to be a child model, so.
00:52But in school days, suddenly somebody just told me, somebody I met when I used to child model,
00:58you know, somebody from HTA and Lintas, they're like, why don't you model again?
01:02And I said, listen, I was a child model, I mean, you sure you want me to model now?
01:06This happened in college.
01:07So suddenly they just pushed me, they're like, no, no, we would love to have you back.
01:11Not as a kid though.
01:12So I started off with modeling, then I went off to music videos.
01:17It was a lot of fun.
01:18I did like over 80 commercials in the last three years.
01:23It was a lot of fun.
01:24Tell us about the videos you've done.
01:25Particularly your favorite one also.
01:27Yeah, I did Yad Pia Ki Yane Lagi.
01:31I did this other video called Pia Se Mil Ki Aine.
01:33I did a Jagjeet Singh video.
01:36Then I did, yeah, I think I don't quite remember.
01:40Yeah, Alka Yag Nix, one other video which was done in Gujarati in Hindi.
01:43Then I did a Punjabi remix.
01:45But I think after the whole lot, Pia Se Mil Ki Aine was my favorite.
01:50Because a lot of dancing to do and to be myself, very chirpy.
01:54It was a lot of fun, a lot of dancing.
01:56It was a very peppy number.
01:58It was a lot of fun.
01:59How did Kata happen?
02:00How did you graduate from that?
02:01I saw this play called All the Best.
02:04And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
02:06And I think that was the only thing that was left for me that I've not done.
02:10It was the only thing left.
02:11So I thought, might as well just try.
02:13And I want to know what it's like to be on stage and to relate with the audience who's in front of you.
02:17Because camera and stage is different.
02:22So I just said, let me try it.
02:24I mean, I used to do a lot of shows in school and, you know, in my Kathak.
02:28And that was just dancing on stage.
02:30But I wanted to act on stage.
02:32So I just happened to meet the Nia contractor.
02:36He was doing this play called Whose Wife Is It Anyway?
02:38So when I was really young, I told him I'm surely able to even stand on stage.
02:42And he's like, no, no, of course you can.
02:44And so that's the way theatre happened.
02:46And that show went on for like 100 shows.
02:48So that gave me a lot of confidence to be on stage.
02:51To feel the presence there.
02:53Films, well, I guess I did a lot of ads.
02:56So one of the South directors saw me in a couple of South films.
02:59I mean, sorry, in my ad films.
03:02So they came to Bombay Hunting.
03:04They went to a couple of advertising agencies.
03:06Found out my name, number.
03:07And they saw this particular ad called Boro Natural.
03:10But I'm doing like, Boro Natural, you know.
03:13So they, I don't know, the director insisted that I do his film.
03:18And that time I was studying.
03:19So I was a little scared.
03:20So I refused him.
03:21But apparently two months after that, he still came.
03:24And he said, I think you're the only one who can do this film.
03:27This film was called No Way Kavali in Telku.
03:30So that's about it.
03:31I did this film.
03:32I got the Filmfare Award for the Best Actress.
03:34And that's the time where the dear Dr. Raman Aidu, he saw my film.
03:40And he really appreciated the whole thing.
03:42And he said, he just came and signed me for his Hindi film.
03:46When you were the narration for the first time, for Raman Aidu's film.
03:49Sorry?
03:49When you were the narration for the first time, for Raman Aidu's film.
03:52Why do you think this was the right debut for you for a year?
03:55Yeah, well, Kuch Tum Kau, Kuch Hum Kau, I feel it's the best break I can ever get.
04:00Because when I did see the remake film, which Dr. Raman Aidu has made.
04:05Let me tell you something about my character.
04:07It's a very bubbly character.
04:09Where I think I'm supposed to be very fresh and very young.
04:14And I quite like it.
04:15It has a fresh break.
04:17And the movie has a lot of comedy.
04:19It has a lot of natural scenes.
04:24So it's got romance.
04:25It's got comedy.
04:27Even if I'm crying, I'll cry like a kid.
04:29And even if I'm...
04:30I do stupid things like burning Fardin's pants.
04:34So I think it's a very light character for my first film.
04:38Do you in any way identify with your character you portraying in real life as you in person?
04:43As a matter of fact, a lot.
04:46I do relate to that character called Mangla.
04:49A lot.
04:50Because I used to get teased.
04:52I normally get teased very fast.
04:54Which happens in the film also.
04:55Fardin's teasing me all the time.
04:57And every time I'm irritated.
04:59Every time I try to play a prank on him and it comes over me.
05:03So I make a fool out of myself.
05:06And she's very stubborn.
05:09Which is the same for me.
05:12The way the character.
05:13Mangla is very stubborn.
05:15And very natural.
05:16And if she's angry, she'll say it.
05:18If she's crying, she'll let it out.
05:21She's very free.
05:22Nothing is in her heart.
05:23That's very similar to what I am.
05:25What do you have to say about K. Ravi Shankar's direction?
05:28Well, because after a very long time he was directing a film, he was so focused.
05:33And K. Ravi Shankar, I think, in spite of his long gap in the film industry, I think he's done a very good job.
05:42He's handled the whole cast and crew very well.
05:45We were a unit of like a lot of cast.
05:48You know, 30 people.
05:49And especially when a set, like there were kids and elders.
05:52And, you know, we used to always play pranks and to handle the kids at the same time.
05:56And the elders like Faridatji and Govinji and Fardin and me.
06:01So it was, I think, he's done a very commendable job.
06:04I mean, and he never lost his patience.
06:06I mean, if I would be in his place, I would tear my hair apart.
06:09Like throw one kid there and throw one kid there.
06:11And he was so patient.
06:14Every time he's like, okay, do this way.
06:16And listen, he's like, tell the kids what he wants.
06:19And he knew what he wanted.
06:21He would just tell me, no, this is not what I want.
06:23This is what I want.
06:24So I think he's done a commendable job.
06:27Give me a brief storyline on the film.
06:29Well, the film is actually a family drama.
06:32It's between two families.
06:34And, well, I don't want to tell you much about the film.
06:37But there's something called Shishti Poorthy.
06:41There's a very nice feeling in that.
06:42Because it's like you're celebrating your grandparents' anniversary.
06:46So we get the blush into their faces where we try to remarry them.
06:51And just for the fun.
06:52And, you know, just to create that family atmosphere.
06:54You know how it's like when you go to your grandparents' house in the village.
06:59And you meet all your cousins and your family friends.
07:01That's a very nice feeling in the film.
07:03Where you're having fun.
07:05The whole family's come together and doing something exciting.
07:08Away from the city.
07:09Everybody's come from different cities.
07:11So it's got a lot of romance.
07:12It's got a lot of comedy.
07:15And it's a family drama.
07:17It's quite nice.
07:19Tell us about Anu Malik.
07:21Well, I don't need to say much about Anu Malik.
07:24He's very good in his work.
07:26And the music he's given for my movie, it fits in so well.
07:30Because the movie has a lot of romance.
07:32And a lot of softness.
07:34You know.
07:34And he's given very melodious films.
07:36I mean songs.
07:37Especially the title song.
07:39It really creates that family atmosphere for you.
07:42The title song is about the family.
07:44Not just about me and Fardeen.
07:47The title song, Kuch Tum Kahu, Kuch Hum Khae.
07:49It really creates a softness and the feeling of a family.
07:52And being with a joint family.
07:53Especially.
07:54Not just the family.
07:56So that's a very soft music.
07:57Then there's two romantic numbers called Khoi Khoi.
08:01Which is very cute.
08:02And there's a bubbly number.
08:03Where we're trying to have fun with the whole family.
08:06Called Chudi Chudi.
08:08So it's got a blend of everything.
08:10And then the introduction song of Fardeen.
08:13It's a very peppy number.
08:15Which all the young guys would like.
08:16So it's got a blend of everything.
08:17He's given a blend.
08:18And every song is different from each other.
08:20You cannot say this is, oh the whole movie has the same song.
08:23It's got different songs.
08:25It's got a blend of every style and taste.
08:28So it's quite nice.
08:29How are you working with all your co-stars?
08:31I think we've all worked like a family.
08:33Because we've had so many.
08:34I've had so many co-stars.
08:35Starting from Farida Ji.
08:36Who's like a lovely lady.
08:38Then Vikram Ji.
08:38Govind Ji.
08:40And Sharad Kapoor.
08:41Who's like the villain in our film.
08:42But he's done a great job.
08:44And there was a scene where Sharad had to slap me.
08:47And the fight masters like actually slap him.
08:50He's like my hand is bigger than her face.
08:53How can I even touch her?
08:54I mean she's like even if I touch her she'll go flying.
08:57So you're like we have to have a lot of fun on the sets.
08:59You know I mean everybody was so cooperative.
09:01Farideen especially.
09:03He used to tease me a lot.
09:05He ragged me like crazy.
09:07I mean so many times I would just tear my hair apart.
09:10He used to know that there was a gun around me.
09:12I would just shoot him.
09:13But it was all because we were in the character I guess.
09:16Because even in the film he's like all the time teasing me.
09:20So it was a lot of fun.
09:21We had the kids all around us.
09:22And Farideen used to be very nice to me at times.
09:26Because he used to help me you know.
09:28Especially like okay you can breathe right now.
09:31Relax.
09:32Don't get hyper because I used to get oh my god oh my god.
09:34I'm not doing this shot properly you know.
09:35Okay Racha relax.
09:37You can take it easy.
09:37He's very cool.
09:39He's very cool.
09:40Very simple.
09:41And very fun to work with.
09:44Sometimes he can be a big brat.
09:45Big big brat.
09:47Tease me.
09:47Rag me.
09:48Just because I was the new one.
09:49But sometimes he can be really sweet.
09:51He's like a real gentleman.
09:53Farideen I must say has a lot of guts.
09:54And he loves animals I guess.
09:56Because we had this snake scene where there's a real snake in the bus.
10:01And everybody there's a big turmoil around.
10:03And everybody's like going crazy.
10:05There's a snake.
10:05There's a snake.
10:06So right after the shot Farideen takes the snake.
10:08And holds it around his neck.
10:11I said Farideen be away.
10:13Be 10 steps away from me.
10:14Don't even come near me.
10:15Because looking at the snake one year.
10:17And the snake was all around him.
10:18And I'm like get the snake out of here.
10:20Because in the next shot I had to hug him.
10:22And the snake's like all over him.
10:25And I'm like Farideen please keep the snake away.
10:27I have to hug you next shot.
10:28It's giving me.
10:29Creating a very sick feeling for me to come and hug you.
10:32After the snake is hugging you.
10:34He's like no no.
10:35I know next shot you have to hug me.
10:36But look at the way the snake's hugging me.
10:37And I'm like no.
10:38Keep the snake away.
10:39And after the shot got over.
10:42They took this dummy snake.
10:43Which looked like a real snake.
10:45And I was at the edge of the boat.
10:47After the shot.
10:47This was just at the back up.
10:49And they came next to me.
10:51And then that artificial snake had a zip.
10:54I mean a tongue coming out like that.
10:56And they just put it into my lips.
10:58And I just turned.
10:59And I went crazy.
11:01I was almost about to fall out of the boat.
11:02And there was a sound recordist there.
11:05And Farideen literally threw the snake on him.
11:07And that guy got fever the next two days.
11:09He didn't come on the sets.
11:11So we had like a lot of fun.
11:12But Farideen was like crazy.
11:14He used to tease everybody around.
11:16Yeah we were paragliding.
11:18And after the shot got over.
11:19We told the director to get into the paragliding.
11:21And what we decided.
11:23Just to play a prank on him.
11:24We told the guy who controls the paragliding thing.
11:26That let him dip into the water.
11:29And that water was freezing cold.
11:30So to even get that one drop of water into.
11:33On your.
11:34Any part of your body.
11:35It's like.
11:35It's horrible.
11:37So what we did.
11:37And the director was like.
11:38Don't.
11:39Don't dip me into the water.
11:40Please don't dip me into the water.
11:41I'm really scared.
11:43But we were like so naughty.
11:44Me and Farideen.
11:45Both of us.
11:45Like just told that guy.
11:46Just give them this one big splash.
11:49And then paragliding glides.
11:50He just like pushed them into the water.
11:52And he went swap into the water.
11:54It was like a lot of fun.
11:55His pecs were like oh.
11:57It was a lot of fun.
11:58Doing paragliding.
11:59What was your plan?
12:01What was the upcoming?
12:03Well.
12:04Nothing was.
12:05Nothing seemed very planned for me.
12:07It's just happened.
12:08Everything is just happening the right way I guess.
12:11So.
12:11But I just want to continue doing good films.
12:13Since I.
12:13I'm.
12:14I love acting.
12:15So.
12:16Love acting.
12:16I love dancing.
12:17And I love being around the film industry.
12:19I mean how much ever.
12:20There are.
12:21It has its pros and cons.
12:22But I'm enjoying it.
12:24I'm really enjoying acting though.
12:29I want to imaginar it.
12:31I love it.
12:44I love you.
12:49I love this.
12:51I love it.
12:51I love it.
12:52I love it.
12:52I love it.
12:53I love it.
12:54I love it.
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