Richa Chadha, who will be soon seen in Heeramandi, is currently expecting her first child. She was recently spotted with her baby bump at the web series screening. A video from the same evening has gone viral on social media. Veteran actress Rekha was seen kissing her bump which was also loved by fans. Reacting on the same in an exclusive chat with Hindustan Times, Richa Chadha called it a sweet gesture.

Richa Chadha was quoted saying, “Man, it was the stuff of magic! I remember the screening ended and we just hugged and kind of wept because like I said my character is a tragic one. I could not control my tears and neither could see and to have appreciation from a legend like her gave me all the validation I needed.”

She further added, “At that point, we were just chatting and credit to whoever took that video because it is so raw and so beautiful. She embraced me and she kind of looked at me like where she could feel my baby bump as I was in my seventh month. She was like, ‘Oh my God, this is such a blessing. Can I?’ I was like, ‘What? Yeah!’ My God, for my offspring to be blessed by a legend! So generous, so sweet and so kind! The words of praise that she showered not just on me but on everyone! How special she is and how much regard she holds for Mr. Bhansali… how lovely she looks! For me, I don’t think there can be another Rekha. There can’t be anyone who balances both commercial and non-mainstream in such a beautiful way. We have all grown up seeing her in Umrao Jaan and Khoon Bhari Maang. It was just a blessing to have her in the hall. I was overwhelmed and a little bit speechless.”

Talking about the viral video, Richa and Rekha having a conversation and then the veteran actress bends down and gives her special blessing to the bump. She was seen kissing and Richa was smiling.

Heeramandi, a historical drama series, transports audiences to a time when courtesans reigned as monarchs. Through the stories of courtesans and their clients, set against the turbulent backdrop of the Indian Independence struggle in the 1940s, the series investigates the cultural reality of the namesake area of Heera Mandi.

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ambitious web series Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar will premiere on streaming service Netflix on May 1.