Radhika Apte

I feel art has the power to bind us.

For an actor, it is necessary to vegetate and look for inspiration. I get that from travelling, meeting people, and observing things around me. I bring back my energy by gaining different experiences.

I've always been interested in dance and want to be a trained contemporary dancer.

A lot goes in my mind while choosing a role. Choosing unconventional roles is not a conscious decision. I choose the most exciting and challenging role from the options I have.

I don't follow norms in my life. They don't make sense to me. I do whatever I feel or what makes me happy and feels right.

Bollywood is a business more than an art industry. One has to play the game others play to carve your own path.

I did not come to Mumbai because I wanted to be a star. I came to Mumbai because I genuinely love acting, and it gives me a kick.

You get negative comments even if you are not talking. So you can't be scared of negative comments from people.

I can't have double standards, so I do what I believe in.

I don't like people recognizing me all around the world. I really don't like that, as it's breach of my privacy.

There are hierarchies in B-Town regarding many things, not just gender. Men also go through a lot in this industry.

I do get a lot of offers for endorsing a brand, but for me, the credibility of the brand matters the most.

A brand should live up to the expectations of people; it should deliver what it promises.

The conventional idea of beauty is so boring.

I think jokes on colour or body shaming shouldn't be made. It's not funny to crack such jokes.

Every night, I watch films.

I love to cook and read books.

I love to travel and go to dance classes whenever I get time.

I usually take up short films when I am not tied up with feature films. Short films are easier to work on... because it doesn't take much of your time. The number of shoot days are lesser as compared to feature films.

I am not very ambitious by nature, and movies happened to me by chance.

Playing characters I don't relate to are a big challenge for me.

'Vetri Selvan' is the first film where I play a conventional romantic role, which I found very challenging.

I don't think that independent or off-beat films are not commercial, nor do I want to categorise them. At the end of the day, what matters is how much you compromise to please the masses. But, I am not someone who loves compromising. If there's a lot to give up on things that matter to me, I start losing interest.

I'm game for any kind of roles as long as I find it interesting.

The thing is, if one person recognises you and takes a picture, then four other people who don't even know you want to do the same.

I think success has a different definition for everyone.

I do social media largely for work because I want to be a part of different activities. In India, that's how you make money, so I do it as my job.

Anything that generates better films, more work, and better content is good.

I do films because there is an audience out there. It doesn't matter if they're Indian, American, or European.

I understand that when you become a public figure, people pay more attention to you, but my personal life is my space.

I am an actor. What I am on screen is what matters.

I don't want to be a top Bollywood actress. That's not what is driving me.

Initially, I did South Indian films because I needed the money; I had a huge student loan that I had to pay off. But I do feel that Marathi, English, and Hindi are what I'm more comfortable with.

I find it very important to keep learning because, as an actor, you get exhausted. You need more emotion, more experience... you need something to base everything on.

I don't mind doing genre roles as long as they offer me something substantial.

I did quite a lot of research for 'Phobia' because it's a very sensitive topic, so I couldn't have just faked it.

When I was really young, I was obsessed with Bollywood. Then I got exposed to world cinema, and I wanted to be a part of it. Then I was exposed to theatre, and I only wanted to do theatre.

I am on social media to connect with my fans, but when I'm out on the streets, I don't even wear make-up. I'm in my chappals, on my own, and I like that.

I am a very hyper person and always get pre-occupied with something.

Both my parents are doctors, but I'm passionate about dance and have always wanted to act since I was a child.

If I take up something, then it's only because I love it so. It makes no sense to leave it just because I got a better offer.

I never get a role if I audition for it.

I had no apprehensions doing bold scenes.

I don't see why I should be ashamed of my body. That's the one tool I use as a performer.

I have been brought up watching world cinema, and I have travelled a lot, so I am very comfortable with my body.

I like to perform. I hope I keep on getting good offers.

When you are a freelancer, you are always looking for a next job. There is always struggle.

There is a pressure on actresses to look in a certain way. Like, when I have to go out for promotion or interviews, I have to choose designer wear.

A face is beautiful when you can relate to it or when you can see the emotion through the face.

I find all my friends very beautiful.