The entertainment industry faces increasing scrutiny over its treatment of working mothers, and talented actress Radhika Apte has emerged as a powerful voice in this conversation. Speaking from London while caring for her six-month-old daughter, Apte has delivered a stark assessment of Bollywood's compatibility with motherhood. Her candid observations reveal systemic issues that extend far beyond individual experiences, highlighting how the industry's operational structure fundamentally conflicts with the realities of parenting.
The timing of Apte's comments proves particularly significant as similar conversations emerge across the entertainment landscape. Recent reports suggest Deepika Padukone exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit due to requests for manageable work hours post-pregnancy, while producer Ajay Devgn claimed eight-hour workdays were becoming standard. These contrasting perspectives underscore the disconnect between industry claims and working mothers' lived experiences.
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The Mathematics of Motherhood
Apte's analysis of Bollywood's work structure reveals the mathematical impossibility of balancing traditional film schedules with childcare responsibilities. Speaking to Screen, she explained the industry's demanding reality with precision that comes from personal experience.
"With work, what has definitely changed, is now I've realised that how we work in India is just never going to be a possibility for me. Because in India a normal shift is minimum 12 hours. That doesn't include makeup. So, with hair and makeup it's about 13 hours, plus the travel. And no shoot finishes on time. That's 15 hours plus when it doesn't finish up on time. I've shot mostly for 16-18 hours in my life. And that's just never a possibility anymore. I can't do it because if I do that, I'll never get to see my daughter," she elaborated during the interview.
Apte's recognition that she "must have different terms in my contracts now" signals her intention to challenge these established practices, even while acknowledging that "a lot of people are going to have problems with that."
Gender Equality Paradox
"There's so many women on film sets. We talk about gender equality and there's so many women in lots of departments. Then I want to know how many of them have children. Because it's assumed in our culture that it's okay for men not to see their children. But mothers can't afford to do that. So not a lot of mothers with babies can possibly work in our industry. Unless they have their babies dragged on set," the Andhadhun actress explained.
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Managing Motherhood Without Support Systems
Apte's personal approach to motherhood provides context for her professional concerns while highlighting the challenges many working mothers face. Currently residing in London with her partner, musician Benedict Taylor, she describes their deliberate choice to manage childcare independently.
"We live in London, we believe in doing stuff on our own. So, we have zero help. We have no nanny, no night nurse, no cook, nobody. We do everything on our own. So, it's been very hectic, but we like it. Babies famously don't sleep. Every day is different, to be honest with you. It's been incredible and it's been very hard at the same time so far. You do look at world from a very different lens because you have a child now," she shared during the interview.
Partnership Dynamics: Redefining Shared Responsibilities
The actress emphasises how successful navigation of working parenthood requires genuine partnership equality. "We both have not given up what we need, and we give each other time to do that. I don't feel like I've just completely gotten myself buried under mother duties. I'm not completely sacrificing my entire self for it. And my partner and I share everything, like absolutely everything. We're so equal in, in how we are raising her. It's been really lovely to learn to get to know your partner better," she explained.
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Her latest film, Sister Midnight, premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and released in India on May 30. Apte plays Uma, a rebellious woman challenging societal norms. The cast includes Ashok Pathak, Chhaya Kadam, Smita Tambe, and Navya Sawant. The film hit US theatres on May 16 and will release in France on June 11.
Apte was last seen in a cameo in Merry Christmas, alongside Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi.
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