Radhika Apte Movies and Tv Shows

Radhika Apte Movies and Tv Shows | Radhika Apte journey to Bollywood

Radhika Apte Movies and Tv Shows career was a challenging one ?

Words Deepali Singh for TMM

What’s common between the deliciously wicked black comedy Andhadhun, the anthology film on love and relationships Lust Stories, and the thrilling series Sacred Games? Our cover girl Radhika Apte, who seems to be only going from strength to strength with each passing year! Not only is she counted among the most talented female actors we have today, she is also somebody who has shown conviction in the content. The result? Radhika’s been a part of a number of critically acclaimed feature films, short films as well as digital series in the last few years.

Whether it was as a Research and Analysis Wing agent in Sacred Games or as an interrogator at a detention centre in the horror series Ghoul or as a married college professor in Lust Stories who has sexual intercourse with her student, Radhika’s varied work has made her a darling of the digital space. This year, too, there’s a lot to expect from this lovely girl! Excerpts from a conversation…

After your first stint in the movies, you left for London for a year. Did you feel at that time that acting wasn’t for you?

No, I never thought that. I didn’t know how to start and get work. Also, I didn’t know anybody here and it was lonely. The pace of the city is so fast. I just wanted to go back and it was quite impromptu. I didn’t have a plan.

Now when you look at what you have achieved, do you feel a sense of creative satisfaction?
One always wishes it could have been better, but some of it, yes. Sometimes, when you see the kind of work women actors are doing in some other film industries outside of India, and then you feel we don’t have that kind of scope here as yet. So, then it feels a bit sad. Also, the kind of project where you can really, really find a challenge and work hard is what you get once in two or three years. The kind where you get to learn something new and discover something in your own abilities, that rarely happens.

What really attracts you to a script?
It needs to be challenging and it needs to excite you. I have to be intrigued by the character and feel excited about working with the colleagues involved in it.

You have explored a number of mediums in your career, whether it’s short films, theatre, feature films or the web. What’s the most exciting thing about being a part of so many platforms?
It is exciting because there is so much being made at the moment. It’s all about good work, and the medium doesn’t matter. At the end of the day, you’re trying to be a good actor and trying to find projects that challenge you as an actor and as a person. That can happen on any platform. It’s just that now, with digital, the opportunities are vast.

Your memes became a viral sensation when you were seen in a couple of Netflix original series and even the OTT platform came up with the spoof video Omnipresent. What was your reaction to it all?
I wasn’t part of the plan. I was trolled, but Netflix’s marketing team is excellent. The way they dealt with the whole thing was really creative. I was thrilled about how they handled it. I thought the film was really well done and funny.

You have been a part of the OTT space with shows such as Ghoul and Sacred Games and the film Lust Stories. How has your engagement been with the digital platform?
Well, there are definitely more subjects being explored. Having said that, I don’t get excited by the platform. I get excited about the content. Ghoul was meant to be a film, but later it was taken over by Netflix. So for me, it’s always the content that’s going to be above everything else.

But it does give you a lot exposure?
Yes, 100 per cent. Once you drop on the platform people from across the world can watch you. Also, not many people constantly have time to go to theatres and watch films. Here, it’s easily accessible.

You recently directed a short film called Sleepwalkers. How was the experience?
Oh God, it’s been so stressful! I wanted to start writing because I wasn’t very happy with the kind of scripts being offered to me. The idea was conceived within two-three weeks. I had just ten days for prep. The shoot which was supposed to happen over seven days happened over four. So, it was a complete nightmare. I have never directed anything in my life before this, so the lesson I have learnt is not to try anything of this sort without enough prep time.

With respect to Radhika apte movies, are you the kind of actor who sees only mistakes when you watch your films?
I used to not watch my films earlier. Now, one ends up watching them at screenings etc. I have started watching my films in the last three years. But I’m the kind who gets detached once the job is done. Of course, when you watch, you do feel you could have done this better or that this worked well. But I don’t get emotionally affected by it. I let it go.

What’s next on your plate?
There is the web show Shantaram. I’m excited because it’s a very prestigious project and the people involved are great. I’m doing it for the experience and it’s quite a leap of faith for me.

Quick Take

Films/shows you consider a turning point?
Badlapur put me in the commercial space, while both Andhadhun and Sacred Games brought some momentum again. Then I won a prestigious award for a film called Clean Shaven.

What’s the kind of music you listen to?
I have a varied taste, but I love jazz and country music

Romcoms or thriller/horror
Some days I just want to lie in bed and watch a rom-com. On others, I love watching thrillers and drama.

Your favourite cuisine
That’s a tricky question, but I’ll go with South-East Asian.

Can you cook?
Yes, I do. The least I cook is Indian.

The last digital show you enjoyed watching
Unbelievable

A book you enjoyed reading in recent times
Normal People by Sally Rooney

A director/co-actor on your wishlist
Quite a few! But I think Anurag Kashyap needs to make a feature film with me (he’s made three short films with me!) and Sriram Raghavan needs to make a film where I am more than a cameo! (laughs)

Credits –

Photographer: Ishaan Nair
Stylist: Tania Fadte
HMU: Gianluca C

Faze Management

 

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