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Radhika Apte Says Film Industry is Not Conducive to New Mothers
Updated on: 02 June, 2025 02:07 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Radhika Apte
The conversation around work-life balance in the demanding Indian film industry is gaining fresh momentum. Following calls from stars like Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan for more family time, acclaimed actor Radhika Apte has candidly spoken about the film industry`s environment for new mothers, admitting her own uncertainties about navigating her career post-motherhood.
These remarks resonate deeply, especially coming after reports of Deepika Padukone turning down Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Prabhas-starrer Spirit. It`s understood that Deepika`s requests for an 8-hour workday and a revised remuneration package, crucial for managing her new responsibilities as a mother, were not met. This decision garnered public support from industry colleagues like Ajay Devgn and Kajol, while Saif Ali Khan also recently advocated for prioritising family.
Despite the professional uncertainties, Radhika Apte shared a positive personal experience regarding new motherhood. Speaking to ANI, she revealed her preparedness for the postpartum phase. “I was very prepared for postpartum, actually. And I had also made sure that my friends and family were aware that if I went into postpartum depression, they needed to support me. To my own surprise, I was just purely elated when I had a child. And fortunately, I didn`t suffer from severe depression at any point.” Radhika is married to musician Benedict Taylor.
Also Read: Did Sandeep Vanga Take a Dig at Deepika Padukone Following Her Exit From Spirit?
The film`s director, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, later shared a cryptic tweet which, without naming anyone, seemed to criticise an actor for alleged "dirty PR games" and revealing parts of the film`s story. He wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are…Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it."
As more artists like Radhika Apte and Deepika Padukone voice their experiences and expectations, the film industry faces increasing pressure to re-evaluate its demanding work culture and foster a more supportive environment for working parents. The dialogue is shifting, urging a move towards more flexible and accommodating practices for all.
Also Read: Deepika Padukone Talks About Motherhood, Pregnancy Complications, And Naming Dua
Radhika Apte on Film Industry and Motherhood
In a recent interview, Radhika Apte didn`t mince words when asked if the film industry is conducive to new mothers. “I don’t think they are. I don’t know how I’m going to navigate that going ahead,” she stated. Apte, who welcomed a baby girl in December last year, elaborated on the inherent difficulties. “It’s really difficult to work in our film industry, given the number of hours and how we film generally, and the time for which we don’t get to see the child. So I guess I’ll just have to figure it out now.” The actor, known for her versatile roles, has been dividing her time between Mumbai and London, adding another layer of complexity to balancing her personal and professional life.These remarks resonate deeply, especially coming after reports of Deepika Padukone turning down Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Prabhas-starrer Spirit. It`s understood that Deepika`s requests for an 8-hour workday and a revised remuneration package, crucial for managing her new responsibilities as a mother, were not met. This decision garnered public support from industry colleagues like Ajay Devgn and Kajol, while Saif Ali Khan also recently advocated for prioritising family.
Despite the professional uncertainties, Radhika Apte shared a positive personal experience regarding new motherhood. Speaking to ANI, she revealed her preparedness for the postpartum phase. “I was very prepared for postpartum, actually. And I had also made sure that my friends and family were aware that if I went into postpartum depression, they needed to support me. To my own surprise, I was just purely elated when I had a child. And fortunately, I didn`t suffer from severe depression at any point.” Radhika is married to musician Benedict Taylor.
Also Read: Did Sandeep Vanga Take a Dig at Deepika Padukone Following Her Exit From Spirit?
The `Spirit` Controversy and Industry Norms
Deepika Padukone`s recent departure from Spirit has undeniably spotlighted the issue. Besides her reported need for shorter workdays as a new mother to her daughter Dua, other reasons for her exit have surfaced. These include a significant remuneration demand of Rs 20 crores plus a share in profits and an alleged refusal to speak her lines in Telugu. Another source indicated that the film`s purported bold scenes might have contributed to her discomfort and subsequent decision to leave the project.The film`s director, Sandeep Reddy Vanga, later shared a cryptic tweet which, without naming anyone, seemed to criticise an actor for alleged "dirty PR games" and revealing parts of the film`s story. He wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are…Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it."
As more artists like Radhika Apte and Deepika Padukone voice their experiences and expectations, the film industry faces increasing pressure to re-evaluate its demanding work culture and foster a more supportive environment for working parents. The dialogue is shifting, urging a move towards more flexible and accommodating practices for all.
Also Read: Deepika Padukone Talks About Motherhood, Pregnancy Complications, And Naming Dua
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