Acclaimed Bollywood actress Radhika Apte recently revealed a painful early career experience where she lost a major film role after gaining just a few kilograms during a vacation. The incident, where filmmakers told her "This is so fat," deeply impacted her, sparking years of anxiety about her weight and appearance. She shared these details in recent interviews, shedding light on the intense body shaming prevalent in the film industry.^[1][2][3][4] ### Early Career Setback Apte recounted that the film project was a significant opportunity, initially written specifically for her. Before a planned trip, she informed the makers she would not diet during her vacation and might return a few kilos heavier, promising to lose the weight quickly. At the time, she was young, a dancer, and confident in her metabolism, believing she did not need to diet constantly.^[1][3] Upon her return, however, the reaction from the filmmakers was harsh. They conducted a photoshoot, then reviewed her pictures, openly stating, "This is so fat." Following this, she was abruptly removed from the project. This sudden dismissal, all over an increase of "three or four kilos," cost her an opportunity that could have significantly altered her career path.^[1][2][3][4] The film eventually became a major success, launching the careers of the actors who ultimately replaced her. Apte admitted it took her years to fully process the loss and the emotional blow it delivered. This experience left a lasting mark, forcing her to confront the industry's superficial standards.^[1][2][3][4] ### Years of Lingering Anxiety The incident triggered a profound weight anxiety that Apte had never experienced before. She confessed that, even now, weight fluctuations and body changes continue to bother her. "Sometimes it really bothers me—the weight fluctuations, swellings, this, that. I won't lie to you, it does," Apte told India Today. S^[1][2][3]he often finds herself thinking, "Oh, I need to lose the weight that I've put on." ^[1][2][3][4]This new preoccupation with her weight unsettled her because it clashed fundamentally with her core belief system. Apte has always advocated for natural beauty and found this sudden fixation on her body image to be deeply unsettling. The internal conflict eventually led her to seek therapy, a process she described as a "blessing in disguise" that helped her understand the industry's impact on mental health and self-image. ^[2][3][4]### Challenging Industry Standards Through therapy, Apte gained insight into how such early rejections contributed to her later insecurities. She now views the painful experience as something that ultimately shaped her into a stronger individual. "It made me stronger. I can now say with more power that I'm not going to adhere to these notions. I'm not going to conform to your ideas of beauty," she asserted. ^[2][3][4]Apte's resolve to defy impossible beauty standards is evident in her recent professional choices. She revealed that she filmed two movies just three months after giving birth, choosing to appear on camera without attempting to conceal or reduce her postpartum body. "I am bigger than I've ever been. And I was like, I'm going to be on camera, and I'm going to proudly be on camera. And I did it," she stated. ^[1][2][3]She critically highlighted the mental health toll imposed by "horrendous and impossible beauty norms," the pervasive insecurities, and the industry's obsession with age. Apte also pointed out the stark double standard for aging in cinema, where men are often said to age "like fine wine," while women are simply considered "older." She emphasized that society's fear of aging is misplaced, especially since it is an inevitable part of life. ^[1][2][3]This isn't the first time Apte has encountered such pressures. Earlier in her career, she was reportedly asked to consider getting a "better nose" and "bigger breasts." She was also shortlisted for the film 'Vicky Donor' but was ultimately not cast because she was deemed "overweight by a few kilos." A^{[5][6][7][8][9]}pte believes that while such comments were common in the past, increased awareness now allows actresses to speak out against body shaming and hold perpetrators accountable. ^{[5][10][7][8]}

AI Insights Hub