Amid Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Vanga row, Radhika Apte makes a big claim about new moms in the industry

Following Deepika Padukone's exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's "Spirit," discussions arose, with claims of "unprofessional demands" as the cause. Ajay Devgn supported the actress. Radhika Apte, a new mother, then stated that the industry "is not conducive to the needs of a new mother." This sparked further debate about the challenges faced by mothers in the industry and the need for more supportive environments.

Last year, Radhika Apte revealed her pregnancy at the BAFTA Awards, where her film, "Sister Midnight," was nominated. She welcomed a baby girl in December 2024 with her husband, Benedict Taylor. This news, combined with her comments on the industry's lack of support for new mothers, highlights the need for better accommodations. The actress's experiences draw attention to the need for more supportive environments for working mothers in the film industry.

In a recent interview with SCREEN, Radhika Apte addressed the film industry's support for new mothers. She expressed concern, stating, "I don’t think they are. I don’t know how I’m going to navigate that going ahead." Apte highlighted the challenges of long shoot hours, which limit the time actors spend with their children. "It’s really difficult to work in our film industry, given the number of hours and how we film generally, and the time for which we don’t get to see the child. So I guess I’ll just have to figure it out now," she added, underscoring the need for adjustments.

This follows a Bollywood Hungama report alleging Deepika Padukone's removal from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's "Spirit" due to contract demands. The report stated the actress sought to limit her shooting hours to six per day and requested additional pay for shoots exceeding 100 days. These claims have sparked discussions about the pressures and expectations placed on actors, especially regarding work-life balance and contractual negotiations.

Radhika Apte's latest film, "Sister Midnight," is scheduled for an Indian theatrical release on May 30. The film, which premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, features Apte as Uma, a woman challenging societal norms. The cast includes Ashok Pathak, Chhaya Kadam, Smita Tambe, and Navya Sawant. "Sister Midnight" was released in the US on May 16 and will premiere in France on June 11. Apte's recent work also includes a cameo in "Merry Christmas," starring Katrina Kaif and Vijay Sethupathi.