'Traumatic': Radhika Apte on facing sexism in South cinema
What's the story
Radhika Apte, who has completed 20 years in the film industry, has opened up about her early experiences. In a recent episode of Creator X Creator on SCREEN, she revealed that she faced sexism in South Indian films during the late 2000s. "Some of the films that I did, I had a really difficult time on those sets," she said.
Traumatic encounters
Apte's early experiences in South Indian cinema
Apte recalled a particularly difficult experience where she was the only woman on set in a small town. "They wanted to add more padding on my bums and breasts. They were like, 'Amma, more padding!' I said, 'How much more padding?' (laughs). How much rounder would you make somebody?" She added that she had no support team and was surrounded by male colleagues who made sexist jokes.
Lasting impact
Apte's emotional response to early experiences
Despite her outspoken nature, Apte admitted that these experiences were "actually traumatic." "I never want to be put in that position again because I'll cry. It was actually traumatic. I wouldn't want any woman to be in that position," she said. She also expressed disappointment in women in powerful positions who could bring about change but choose not to do so.
Career progression
Take a look at Apte's recent work
Apte was last seen in Tisca Chopra's directorial debut, Saali Mohabbat, co-starring Divyenndu. The film is streaming on ZEE5. She also features in an extended cameo in Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders, co-starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui. It premiered on Netflix on Friday.