Radhika Apte opens up on pregnancy bias in Bollywood: 'A producer insisted I wear tight clothes and...'

In a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation during Neha Dhupia’s Freedom to Feed live session, acclaimed actress Radhika Apte bravely opened up about the emotional and physical challenges she faced after announcing her pregnancy, shedding light on the persistent biases against motherhood in the Indian entertainment industry.

Radhika revealed that during her early pregnancy, while she was still fulfilling professional commitments, she encountered a stark difference in how her news was received in two different work environments, one in India and the other abroad.

“An Indian producer I was working with wasn’t happy about the news,” she shared candidly. “He responded coldly and even insisted I wear tight-fitting clothes despite my discomfort and bloating. I was in my first trimester and had constant cravings, I was eating a lot, be it rice or pasta and going through the usual physical changes, but instead of understanding, I was met with insensitivity. I wasn’t even allowed to see a doctor when I was in pain and feeling uneasy on set. That truly disheartened me.”

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In sharp contrast, Radhika spoke about a positive experience on an international project she was part of around the same time. “The Hollywood filmmaker I was working with was so supportive. When I mentioned I was eating more than usual and might look like a completely different person by the end of the shoot, he 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 reassurance and warmth meant the world to me.”

The actress added, “I understand there are professional commitments, and I’ve always respected that. But a little empathy goes a long way. I wasn’t expecting special treatment, just kindness and basic humanity after sharing such a personal and joyous piece of news.”

Radhika’s honest account not only highlights the emotional toll of working while pregnant but also calls for an urgent shift in the industry’s attitude toward working mothers. As part of Neha Dhupia’s Freedom to Feed initiative which champions maternal rights and open conversations around motherhood, her story serves as a wake-up call to foster safer, more inclusive spaces for women in film.

With more actresses speaking up about their experiences, it’s time the industry moves beyond outdated mindsets and embraces motherhood as a phase to be supported not side-lined.