Radhika Apte: I remember feeling very proud the day I got my periods

Radhika ApteWith Padman film based on menstrual hygiene released today which is kind of a revolution in the Hindi film industry midday online got in touch with the films actress Radhika Apte who has her own share of stories to tell about her struggle in the Hindi film industry From going digital with short films to niche cinema and finally to the mainstream industry her transition has been phenomenal The petite and outspoken beauty is an ocean of talent which makes her irresistible and difficult for onlookers to turn their eyes away from Her character of a rural girl playing Akshay Kumars wife is exactly the opposite of her persona It is this challenge that drew the 32yearold to this film In a candid conversation with us she talks about how she was enlightened about menstruation by her family even before she hit pubertyHow did you get this film Padman and did you immediately give a nod to it or how was the entire process that you went through before signing the filmR Balki films director asked me to come to his home or office and when I went to meet him he gave me the script I took the script read it and went to meet him again the next day andhellip I said Yes to do the film And when I asked him why he wanted me to play this character he said that you are the exact opposite of the character and that is why I want you to play this part because that would be challenging for you Working on that character was great because I havent played a part like that beforeWith Balki sir Twinkle Khanna and Akshay Kumar around how would the atmosphere be on the sets of the filmIt was really fun and I love Balki he is such a nice man I remember after every shoot we would sit and talk about the next days work the scenes We would also talk a lot about our own stories It felt so good to talk to him about everything So it was the same atmosphere while working And Akshay is damn funny Hes always chilled out but also a professional at the same time So for everybody it was everything on timehellipeight hours of work we start on time and finish on time which is like a rarity Balki had to guide me because I had to wake up before he entered because Im not that person So my instinct would always push me to do it It was a great collaborationYou are one of the first stars who went digital with the super hit short film of Sujoy Ghosh Ahalya then youve done regional films art commercial and all kind of cinema Are there are any plans for exploring the Television mediumMedium is not that is going to stop me What matters to me is the content I havent been offered anything on the Television that I want to do as yetAny incident surrounding menstruation that you found very weird while growing up or were subjected to any of the orthodox practices while menstruatingMy family is very liberal about it because they are a bunch of liberal doctors So it was not a problem I knew about my periods even before I started getting them I remember the day my periods actually started I sort of figured that theyve started So I went to the bathroom in the middle of a class I remember feeling very proud the day I got my periods Once I went to a friends house while I was menstruating I remember her mother didnt let me come into the kitchen and I was very offended because Ive never been told thatContinuedSociety is another eyeopener and my mother used to buy sanitary napkins from a lady who would come to our house they would go doortodoor to sell pads My mother told me that the reason she purchases pads from them is that it generates good employment She would buy a wholeyear stock from the woman I would like to share another story my brother was quite young and when I came home I had a blood stain on my kurta My mum told me Radhika you have a stain and I said Mum Im so tired now Ill wash it later on At the same time my younger brother who was right there was very embarrassed that we were discussing this I told him that Start studying about it because youre going to be a doctor soonHow does it feel or how do you react on being compared to yesteryear actress Smita PatilNobody really compares I havent heard that from anybody One or two people met me said something and I did react to that Honestly shes a legendary actor if somebody even gives you that as a compliment I dont think that I have done half the work as she has done Of course its a supremely amazing compliment but I am not very good at taking complimentsAlso Bollywood often tends to typecast actors do you think youve been typecast Initially yes I was said that no one could imagine me playing any urban part I have seven projects coming out and I have done completely different roles in all of them In PadMan I play a village girl In Baazaar I play a girl who is an extremely successful businesswomanyoung bright and independent In Sacred Games I play a RAW agent and in Anurags film international project I play a young teacher in a metro city In SriRam Raghavans film with Ayushmann Khurrana I play this very young coolvibe girl and in Ghoul English film Ive played a military officer In Bombairiya I have played a PR agent and all these characters have nothing in common with each otherWhat was the defining moment of your careerIts yet to come Ive just begunAre you happy with the way your career is shaping upI am happy today that PadMan is releasing tomorrowWhy dont we get to see more of Radhika Apte on the social circuitsThats because I am working every day Last year I worked every single day of the year and this year also I dont have a break until July Therefore you dont see me in parties and award functions I do go out sometimes but I am not in Bombay or Im out shootingWith Womens Day around the corner any message for the women of our countryJust live a guiltfree life and know that you have freedom and the right to happiness Try getting all that you want ask questions and dont feel guilty about itCatch up on all the latest entertainment news and gossip hereDownload the new midday Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go