ENTERTAINMENT
Exclusive| Can’t Work Beyond 12 Hours: Radhika Apte on Setting Boundaries, Saali Mohabbat & More
Excerpts:
How did you come on board for Saali Mohabbat?
I’ll change the working hours to begin with. You can’t expect someone to go an entire week without seeing their child. I’ve had multiple conversations and arguments over refusing to do long shifts. You’ll be surprised at how much one has to fight. I find it quite baffling. And people say have a nanny and let them come on set. I’m sorry, but that’s really not the answer.
What are some of your non-negotiables when signing a script?
I’ve started putting my foot down and a lot of people haven’t liked it. I can’t work beyond 12 hours. And that includes everything from travel, hair, makeup, and the shoot itself. If my travel takes two hours, then the shift has to be planned accordingly. Of course, there can be exceptions to this but that’s my non-negotiable. I insist on weekly offs and ideally wouldn’t want to work more than five days a week. Unless it is a small film where the project genuinely can’t function. I’d appreciate a five day a week and a 12-hour shift.
It was a delight to work with Divyenndu. I’d never met him before and never worked with him. He’s nuanced, funny and very subtle. So many times I was just watching him at work and that was delightful. I know Anshumaan Pushlar and I’ve worked with him and he’s such a great actor.
It was shot two years ago and so much has happened since then. But I don’t think anything was taxing. The set was calm and even the heavy scenes didn’t feel overwhelming. What exhausts me more is the technicality of the shoot or times when directors want 17-18 takes where you have to weep. That gets very exhausting. But Tisca was precise. It was quite an easy shoot and the production was fabulous. We were taken care of.
Were there any inputs from Manish Malhotra?
Manish is one of the gentlest souls. He is hardworking and gives great attention to details. He works all night, all morning. And you see that. His aesthetics are there in the film. Even if I’m a middle-class housewife, the border of my dress or my saree will be so thought after.
I just like to play complex characters. And complexity doesn’t mean serious or dark stuff. It could even be a comedy.
I haven’t been offered anything yet in the recent past. But there is no apprehension from my side. I’m sure it’ll happen one day. I have a long-standing relationship with Calcutta.