6 things to know about Radhika Apte, the Bollywood indie darling set to star in Apple TV+ series Shantaram
Star of Netflix’s Lust Stories, Sacred Games and Ghoul, Apte won big at Tribeca Film Festivalfor her role in eclectic global anthology Madly, is married to British avant-garde musician Benedict Taylor – and will next star in Apple TV+’s adaptation of Gregory David Roberts’s cult novel Shantaram
Being an actor is not for the faint-hearted. Radhika Apte, the 34-year-old Vellore, Tamil Nadu-born actress, has worked in Bollywood for over a decade, starting in a small theatre company in Mumbai, but has only recently begun to realise the fruits of her labour. Now an indie darling, Apte’s career covers a diverse range of films in multiple languages, Netflix India’s original series and an upcoming Apple TV series – here are six things you might not know about her.
1. She struggled in Bollywood
It took Apte 10 years to become widely recognised for her acting. She ventured to Mumbai straight after college to seek work as an actor, living with “odd house owners and roommates”, and earning scraps, as she told ScoopWhoop. With no ties to the film industry, she worked in a small theatre company and auditioned for films. Small roles in Bollywood and theatres, such as the Bengali film Antaheen … (2009), theatre play Bombay Black (2007) and political drama Rakta Charitra (2010) elicited a favourable response. However, she went back home to Pune after a while, recalling that period in her life as a “learning yet demoralising experience”.
2. A stint in London changed her life
Following a short time in Mumbai, Apte decided to take a break and study contemporary dance for a year at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance in London. The decision exposed her to a different kind of way of working professionally, and she also met her future husband Benedict Taylor, a London-based composer. They have been together since 2012.
3. She has tasted success in independent and short films
Following her much-needed break, Apte enjoyed success in independent films Parched (2015), Kaun Kitney Paani Mein (2015) and Phobia (2016). The first film tells the story of four women in rural India who question the country’s patriarchy, while others range from a satire on social issues to a psychological thriller about agoraphobia. Her impressive body of work extends to provocative short films That Day After Everyday and Ahalya.
