'OPINIONS ARE THROWN AT ME ALL THE TIME'
For Radhika Apte, at the end of the day, it’s her solemn resolve that she sticks to after hearing everyone out
Empowering and strong roles have been the cornerstone of Radhika Apte’s career. She keeps pushing the envelope with every choice she makes and is often credited for being at the forefront when it comes to roles for female actors.
But Radhika feels the change is still at a very nascent stage. “I am happy that I am considered someone who, to a large extent, has the courage to make different choices. I think it is a great thing that people think of me as someone who is bringing about a change. But the change we are talking about is very minuscule,” the 34-year-old says. The actor, who has films like Badlapur (2015), Phobia (2016), Pad Man (2018) and Andhadhun (2018) to her credit, adds, “I think I have a lot more to do in this area. I want more challenges. I can’t be satisfied with what has happened. A lot more needs to be done. So, we can’t be celebrating yet, we have a long way to go.”
In her career spanning over a decade (she made her acting debut in 2005 with a small role in Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!), Radhika has worked not just in the Hindi film industry, but has also done Bengali, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu films. And this is something quite unconventional for a Hindi film heroine. So, was she ever dissuaded from making those choices?
“I get opinions thrown at me all the time. Even today people tell what I should do and what I should not do. But I listen to everything and take my decisions based only on what I want. Sometimes, it is difficult [to deal with opinions],” she shares.
And whenever she is in a dilemma, there are few people to whom she goes for advice.
“I have made a few friends, whom I know well enough to go and discuss my choices and they help me take these calls,” the actor shares.
Radhika is also a perfect definition of a new-age actor who is balancing both films and web. “I don’t know if it’s important to look at it that way, but to each his own. I personally don’t differentiate between any platforms,” she concludes.