Radhika Apte has never shied away from speaking her mind, and this time, she’s opened up about a deeply personal and emotional experience—her pregnancy and the reactions it elicited within the Indian film industry.
Speaking at Neha Dhupia’s Freedom to Feed live session, Radhika revealed the lack of empathy she faced during the early stages of her pregnancy, especially while working on a Hindi film. “An Indian producer I was working with wasn’t happy about the news,” she shared candidly. “He responded coldly and even insisted I wear tight-fitting clothes despite my discomfort and bloating.”
The actress was in her first trimester at the time, navigating not only physical changes but emotional and hormonal shifts as well. “I was in my first trimester and had constant cravings, I was eating a lot, be it rice or pasta and going through the usual physical changes, but instead of understanding, I was met with insensitivity,” she said.
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What hurt the most, according to Radhika Apte, was the disregard for her well-being while on set. “I wasn’t even allowed to see a doctor when I was in pain and feeling uneasy on set. That truly disheartened me,” she added.
In stark contrast, Radhika spoke warmly about her experience working on an international project at the same time.
“The Hollywood filmmaker I was working with was so supportive. When I mentioned I was eating more than usual and might look like a completely different person by the end of the shoot, he laughed and said, ‘Don’t worry, even if you’re another person by the end of this project, it’s fine. Because you’re pregnant.’ That reassurance and warmth meant the world to me,” she said.
Radhika emphasized that she wasn’t looking for special treatment but basic human decency. “I understand there are professional commitments, and I’ve always respected that. But a little empathy goes a long way,” she said. “I wasn’t expecting special treatment, just kindness and basic humanity after sharing such a personal and joyous piece of news.”
Radhika Apte, who married musician Benedict Taylor in 2013, announced her pregnancy in October 2024.
Her story has sparked a much-needed conversation about the entertainment industry’s need to be more inclusive and compassionate, especially towards women navigating pregnancy.
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