Richa Chadha has seen Ali Fazal’s journey from struggling actor to an internationally recognised performer from close quarters. As Ali enjoys a busy 2026, Richa says his recent success feels particularly emotional because she has witnessed the difficult years that came before it.
Ali has already had a packed year, appearing in Mirzapur: The Movie, Prime Video India’s crime series Raakh and Shakun Batra’s segment in Lust Stories 3. For Richa, the recognition Ali is receiving today represents the result of years of persistence and hard work.
Richa Chadha says Ali’s success brings ‘pure happiness’
In a recent interaction with SCREEN, Richa spoke about what it feels like to watch her husband experience a successful phase in his career.
She explained that while supporting a partner can sometimes involve complicated emotions, she does not feel that complexity when looking at Ali’s journey in 2026.
“Of course, it’s more complex than just being supportive, but not this year. We’ve been together for a long time. We’ve been married for six years. When I see the culmination of all the hard work he’s done over the years in 2026, there’s no complexity. There’s just pure happiness.”
For Richa, the happiness is rooted in knowing how much effort Ali has put into building his career over the years.
‘I’ve seen him when he lived in a shanty and owned a bicycle’
Richa also recalled the early period of Ali’s career, when his circumstances were very different from his current position in the entertainment industry.
She said she had known Ali when he was living in a shanty and had little more than a bicycle. Describing him as both her partner and friend, she said witnessing everything he has overcome gives his success a deeply personal meaning.
“I’ve seen him at the time when he lived in a shanty and owned a bicycle. He’s not only my partner, but also my friend. To see him overcome everything is just a very different feeling.”
Richa added in Hindi, “Maine iss din ke liye isko paal pos ke bada kiya hai,” expressing, in a light-hearted way, that she feels she had nurtured him for the day when his hard work would finally pay off.
Richa remembers people doubting Ali Fazal’s future
Richa also opened up about the doubts surrounding Ali when their relationship first became public.
According to the actress, two people from the film industry personally contacted her at the time and questioned whether Ali would have a successful career.
She recalled their warning as:
“Iss ladke ka kuchh nahi hoga.”
The comment suggested that they did not expect Ali to achieve much in the film industry. His career, however, subsequently expanded beyond Indian cinema.
Ali Fazal’s Hollywood opportunity changed the conversation
One of the significant milestones in Ali’s international career came with the 2017 film Victoria & Abdul, in which he starred opposite acclaimed actor Judi Dench.
Richa recalled that people were surprised when Ali landed the opportunity. She also praised his performance opposite Dench, pointing out that holding one’s own alongside such an accomplished performer is a demanding task.
For Richa, the role became another important moment in a journey that had already involved years of uncertainty and struggle.
Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal’s relationship began on ‘Fukrey’
Richa and Ali first met while working on the 2012 comedy film Fukrey. Their professional association eventually developed into a relationship, which they publicly confirmed in 2017.
The couple legally registered their marriage in 2020 under the Special Marriage Act. Their wedding celebrations took place in 2022, with festivities held in Delhi, Lucknow and Mumbai.
In 2024, Richa and Ali entered another important chapter of their lives when they welcomed their first child, a daughter named Zuneyra Ida Fazal.
Today, as Ali continues to take on projects across Indian and international entertainment, Richa’s recollection offers a personal perspective on the long road behind his current professional phase. For her, his success is not simply about recognition in 2026—it is a reminder of the years of work that preceded it.