Radhika Apte during pregnancy: "Producer asked me to wear tight clothes even though....."

Radhika Apte, known for her bold choices on screen and off it, is now embracing a brand-new role, motherhood. The actress recently made headlines with a candid revelation during Neha Dhupia’s Freedom to Feed live session, where she opened up about the emotional rollercoaster she faced during pregnancy, especially while juggling professional commitments in the entertainment industry.

After keeping her pregnancy private for months, Radhika finally revealed her baby bump at the premiere of her film Sister Midnight, taking everyone by surprise. But behind that graceful red carpet appearance was a journey marked by silent battles, particularly on work sets that lacked sensitivity.

Speaking about her experience, Radhika recalled a disheartening phase during the early months of her pregnancy while working on a project in India. “The producer wasn’t thrilled with the news,” she shared. “His reaction was cold, and I was asked to wear tight clothes even though I was visibly uncomfortable and bloated. I wasn’t even allowed to see a doctor when I wasn’t feeling well. That really hurt.”

While that experience left her feeling unsupported, she found a striking contrast when she began shooting for an international project around the same time. “The filmmaker in Hollywood was incredibly warm. When I mentioned my body might change by the end of the shoot, he laughed and said, ‘That’s completely okay, you’re pregnant.’ That one line meant everything.”

Radhika was clear that she never expected special treatment, but she did hope for basic empathy. “I’ve always honoured my work commitments. All I wanted was understanding, not favours, just a little kindness after sharing something so personal.”

Since then, life has taken a beautiful turn for the actress. She and her husband, musician Benedict Taylor, welcomed their first child, a baby girl, in December 2024. She even shared a now-viral photo of herself breastfeeding during a work Zoom call, highlighting the evolving face of modern motherhood.

Radhika’s honest conversation not only sheds light on the challenges many working moms face but also underlines the urgent need for a more compassionate work culture, especially in showbiz.