‘Who’s going to allow us 8-9 hour shifts?’: Radhika Apte questions work culture for new mothers in film industry

Mumbai: Bollywood actress Radhika Apte, who has previously spoken about the challenges she faced in the early stages of her pregnancy, has now shared events she encountered within the film industry during that time. Her revelations came during actress Neha Dhupia’s Freedom to Feed live session campaign.

Radhika shared that not everyone in the industry responded positively when she announced her pregnancy. At the time, she was working with a producer who, she says, reacted coldly to the news and appeared visibly displeased. Despite experiencing bloating and physical discomfort, she claims she was forced to wear tight-fitting clothes on set.

Speaking about her condition during those early months, Radhika said she would often feel hungry and craved foods like rice and pasta. The physical changes in her body were evident, but instead of receiving support or understanding, she says she was met with indifference and discomfort. She also revealed that, despite experiencing pain and unease while filming, she was not allowed to consult a doctor on set.

“At one point, I couldn’t stand up because I had such severe pain in my lower abdomen, and I had to go to the doctor because I just wanted to make sure it was not ectopic. They made me stay for the entire day and did not let me see the doctor,” she recalled.

In contrast, Radhika said her experience while working on an international project was vastly different. The Hollywood producer involved was not only understanding but also genuinely supportive of her pregnancy.

“I told him that I was eating a lot and that I’d probably look completely different by the end of the shoot.”

He smiled and said, ‘I don't care if you look a different size at the end of my film. Why do you care? You are pregnant, you look beautiful. Just do what you need to do.’

“That kind of warmth and reassurance touched my heart,” she said.

Radhika, known for her candidness, added:

“I’m someone who understands and respects professional responsibilities. I wasn’t looking for special treatment when I shared the news of my pregnancy -- I was just hoping for basic empathy and kindness. But sometimes, even that takes a long time.”

"In India, minimum shifts are 12 hours — but they’re never just 12 hours. Including hair and makeup, it’s 14 hours. Then there’s travel — that brings it to 16 hours. You travel with your child and stay in the vanity van, or sometimes, you don’t see your child for days. Sometimes, there isn’t even a weekly break.

But I don’t know -- who is going to allow us to do 8–9 hour shifts?"

The actress has previously spoken about how society often overlooks the realities of pregnancy.

“Most women I know have had difficult pregnancies. It’s like menopause or menstruation -- these hormones are no joke. While we openly discuss the struggles related to menstruation and menopause, pregnancy is constantly glamorised.

“Giving birth is a wonderful thing, but we need to acknowledge the challenges too. It’s absurd that no one talks about them,” she remarked.

Radhika Apte and her husband, British musician Benedict Taylor, welcomed their first child in December 2024.