Radhika Apte highlights Bollywood's tough grind for new mothers amid Padukone's exit

Radhika Apte has openly discussed the challenges new mothers face in Bollywood, emphasizing the industry's demanding schedules and lack of support. Speaking from London, where she is currently with her newborn, Apte revealed her concerns about balancing motherhood with the grueling work hours typical in Indian cinema.

"I dont think they are [supportive]. I dont know how Ill navigate that going ahead," she admitted, highlighting the uncertainty many actresses face.

Apte returned to work just a week after her daughter's birth, underscoring the pressure on new mothers to quickly resume professional commitments. She also expressed frustration with the limited and repetitive roles available, which has led her to explore screenwriting.

"Im tired of acting because you dont necessarily get the kind of work you want. Im tired of doing the same thing or doing things just for the sake of it," she said.

Her comments come amid reports that Deepika Padukone exited a high-profile project with director __ and actor Prabhas, reportedly due to disagreements over work hours. Padukone had requested eight-hour workdays, contrasting with Bollywoods typically longer filming schedules.

"Its really difficult to work in our film industry, given the number of hours and how we film generally and the time for which we dont get to see the child," Apte explained.

Upcoming projects for Apte include the Netflix India revenge thriller series Akka and the American film Last Days, which premiered at Sundance. Her candid reflections shed light on the broader issue of work-life balance for women in Indian cinema, especially new mothers navigating a demanding industry.

Radhika Apte, speaking from London shortly after becoming a mother, highlighted Bollywood's challenging work environment for new mothers, citing long hours and limited support. Her candid remarks come amid reports of Deepika Padukone exiting a major project over demands for shorter workdays.