“I Was Disheartened” – Radhika Apte on Working While Being Pregnant

In a deeply personal conversation during Neha Dhupia’s Freedom to Feed live session, Actress Radhika Apte opened up about the emotional and physical challenges she went through while working during her early pregnancy. Her honest reflections brought attention to the way motherhood is often misunderstood and mishandled within the Indian entertainment space, especially when women continue working through it.

She shared how one Indian producer reacted coldly when she revealed her pregnancy, showing little empathy for what she was going through. “He responded coldly and even insisted I wear tight-fitting clothes despite my discomfort and bloating,” Radhika said, adding that she wasn’t even allowed to visit a doctor despite feeling uneasy and in pain during the shoot. She was navigating cravings and bodily changes in her first trimester but was met with insensitivity rather than care. “That truly disheartened me,” she admitted.

In contrast, her experience with a Hollywood filmmaker was far more positive. She recalled feeling genuinely supported on that set. When she mentioned she was eating more and might look completely different by the end of the shoot, the filmmaker simply 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 response, filled with warmth and understanding, made her feel safe and valued.

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Radhika Apte made it clear that she always respected professional commitments, but what she hoped for was some basic compassion. “A little empathy goes a long way,” she said. Through her story, shared as part of Neha Dhupia’s initiative to support maternal rights, she has sparked an important conversation about the need for the industry to evolve and make space for motherhood without judgment or resistance.

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