Radhika Apte has opened up about how differently she was treated in Bollywood and Hollywood during her pregnancy. The actor, who welcomed her daughter in December 2024, shared her experience in a Freedom to Feed live session hosted by Neha Dhupia. Her story sheds light on how the Indian film industry can lack empathy towards working mothers.
Radhika Apte Recalls Bollywood Producer’s Cold Response To Her Pregnancy
Radhika revealed that when she found out she was pregnant, she personally called every director and producer she was working with at the time. While many congratulated her, one Bollywood producer reacted in a way she did not expect.
She said. “An Indian producer I was working with wasn’t happy about the news. He responded coldly and even insisted I wear tight-fitting clothes despite my discomfort and bloating.”
The Andhadhun star described her first trimester as a tough time. She had constant cravings, felt bloated, and often experienced fatigue. But instead of support, she was met with pressure to maintain a certain appearance. She added, “I wasn’t even allowed to see a doctor when I was in pain and feeling uneasy on set. That truly disheartened me.”
Actress Praises Hollywood Industry
Radhika also recalled how a Hollywood filmmaker reacted to the same news while she was shooting for an international project. The difference, she said, was like night and day.
She said, “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.”
Radhika clarified that she was not asking for special treatment (only basic kindness and understanding).
Watch the video below!
Radhika Apte: Family And Upcoming Projects
For the unversed, Radhika married British violinist and composer Benedict Taylor in 2012 after meeting him in London the previous year. In October 2024, she surprised fans by walking the BFI London Film Festival red carpet with her baby bump. Two months later, the couple welcomed their daughter.
On the work front, Radhika was last seen in Sister Midnight, directed by Karan Kandhari, which released in India on May 30, 2025. She will next appear in Last Days, directed by Justin Lin. The biographical drama, based on missionary John Allen Chau, also stars Sky Yang, Naveen Andrews, Ken Leung, Toby Wallace, Ciara Bravo, and Claire Price. It premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival and will release in US cinemas on October 24, 2025.
