Actor couple Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal recently visited Delhi, leaving their six-month-old daughter, Zuneyra Ida Ali, with her grandparents in Mumbai.
In an exclusive interview, the couple shared that they had initially planned to bring Zuneyra along but decided against it due to the weather and pollution.
“As a Delhite, it breaks my heart,” said Chadha. “When I was studying here, the AQI wasn’t even an issue. It was so green, and the route to my school in Lodhi Road was beautiful. Delhiites need to take concrete steps to improve the situation.”
As new parents, both Chadha and Fazal couldn’t stop talking about their daughter. “It’s a whole new universe in our lives,” said Fazal. “Obviously, the way we see and perceive cinema and storytelling has shifted a little. I don’t know how much, but it definitely has.”
When asked how things were at home, Chadha described it as “nice and peaceful.” She added, “We were prepped for the chaos. We have a great nanny, a great support system. Ali’s father and my mother are both there to help. It’s true that it takes a village to raise a child, and we’re lucky in that aspect.”
The couple also discussed their decision to keep their daughter away from the paparazzi.
Chadha explained, “I’m not sure when, but I would never want her to be clicked.” Fazal added, “At least until she’s old enough to make those choices for herself. We don’t know how she will feel when she grows up. Who knows, we might even get scolded by her (laughs).”
The couple had announced the arrival of their daughter through a social media post in July. When asked who is the more hands-on parent, Chadha quickly replied, “Both of us are, but in our own ways.”
She continued, “I’m surprised at how equal it has turned out for us, and I’m so glad. It gives me a lot of relief. At first, when I started feeding her, I wondered, ‘Will I ever leave this room?’ But Ali has been a wonderful, steady, and equal partner. Whether it’s burping or reading to her, he’s been fantastic.”
Fazal, with enthusiasm, chimed in, “Game on, man!”