We caught up with Radhika Apte, who has been roped in for Netflix's first original in India (Sacred Games) and spoke about her role in the project. Radhika also spoke about her upcoming film, Padman with Akshay Kumar and Sonam Kapoor.
No stranger to the web format, Radhika Apte has incessantly been praised for her performance in Sujoy Ghosh’s Ahalya. She is known for her unconventional roles. It was Sriram Raghavan’s Badlapur in which she played a supporting role that was highly praised. Despite a brief role in the film, her performance was lauded. Her performance won over several critics who stated that she stood out in the ensemble cast. Her acting prowess is why she will be starring in a Netflix Original completely set in India. Sacred Games, based on the novel of the same name, is all about the Mumbai Underworld and its contribution to the economic renaissance of the country possible through rampant corruption.
Apte will also be seen in the upcoming Padman, in which she essays the role of a woman who is struggling to maintain menstrual hygiene, which forces her husband to come up with a low-cost sanitary napkin.
Apte’s PadMan shines a light upon the menstrual taboos she learns of during research for the role, calling them out for their absurdity. Most rural women do not have access to any kind of menstrual hygiene products and resort to using unsanitary methods of managing menstruation. Cow dung, sand, unwashed cloth, and leaves are just the few things that these women use during menstruation. Most girls drop out of schools after hitting puberty and those who don’t, still miss school days during their periods. A basic sanitary pad becomes a revolution in these places.
Radhika Apte has also been vocal about sexual harassment and the times she has been approached for sex in barter for a role. She expanded her view about the ‘Times Up’ Campaign and the role of award functions like The Golden Globes.
(We Indians have much to talk about these days. But what would you tell India if you had the chance? Pick up the phone and write or record your Letter To India. Don’t be silent, tell her how you feel. Mail us your letter at lettertoindia@thequint.com. We’ll make sure India gets your message.)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)