As Radhika Apte prepares to complete a significant milestone of two decades in the film industry this month, the acclaimed actress has chosen to reflect on her beginnings, revealing a deeply unpleasant experience during her cinematic debut.
A Debut She Wishes To Forget
In a candid conversation with the Indian Express, Apte revisited her first film, the 2005 release 'Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!'. The movie, which starred Shahid Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Amrita Rao, and Arshad Warsi, left her with bitter memories primarily due to the conduct of the producers. She recounted how the production house failed to provide proper accommodation or even pay her for her work.
"The awful producers didn’t put me up, didn’t pay me," Apte stated. When she and her mother insisted on a formal contract, they were dismissively told that even established stars like Urmila Matondkar did not sign contracts. "I don’t know if she signed or not, but they treated us horribly," the actress added, highlighting the unprofessional environment.
Praise for the Director Amidst the Chaos
Despite the negative experience with the producers, Radhika Apte had kind words for the film's director, Mahesh Manjrekar. She described him as "a great guy," indicating that the creative guidance was positive. She also shared how she landed the role. Apte was performing in a play titled 'Brain Surgeon,' which won a state-level competition. Manjrekar, who was a judge at the event, approached her afterwards and offered her the part.
Life After a Rocky Start
The experience was so disheartening that Radhika Apte stepped away from films for a considerable time. She focused on completing her college education before eventually returning to acting. Because of the traumatic circumstances, she mentally disassociates from that project. "So, I don’t really count that as one of the films I did. But yeah, it’s been two decades," she concluded, marking the passage of time since that inauspicious beginning.
Today, Radhika Apte is celebrated as one of the most versatile performers in Indian cinema and OTT platforms. Her recent work includes the psychological thriller 'Saali Mohabbat,' which premiered on a streaming platform on December 12, 2025. This film also marked the directorial debut of actress Tisca Chopra.
