Apte feels ‘put down’ when others do well

How many people would confess that they feel low on seeing their contemporaries succeed? Actor Radhika Apte is among the few who don’t mind admitting that.

“There are days when you have not worked and you get [to hear or read] news [about others bagging good projects] and it puts you down,” says Radhika, who, however, adds that the feeling is short-lived. “For me, it happens for a little period of time,” says the 31-year-old, who last starred alongside Tamil superstar Rajinikanth in the Tamil film, Kabali (2016).

But don’t misunderstand it to be jealousy, warns Radhika, for there is no competition. “I’ve been fortunate to not be boggled by others’ success. I have good friends in the industry, so there is a lot more collaboration, encouragement toward each others’ work rather than jealousy.”

Radhika, who debuted in Bollywood with a brief role in the film, Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi! (2005), went on to star in films such as Rakht Charitra (2010), Shor In The City (2011), Phobia (2016) and Parched (2016). She feels she has a lot to learn as an actor. “I’m still fumbling and looking at things, not knowing what to do... I feel that it’s just the beginning. When I am 70 years old, I can talk about my journey,” says the actor, who has consciously started taking up less work. “I’ve taken a pause. I’m choosing my work carefully. I’m looking at projects that inspire me or make me excited,” she says.

PHOTO: AALOK SONI/HT