I couldn't leave home for four days: Radhika Apte recalls leaked intimate clip

Actor Radhika Apte recalled how a leaked intimate clip left her unable to leave home for four days. Reflecting on the aftermath, the actor emphasised how such unauthorised exposure strips artists of control over their own narrative.

In Short

• Radhika Apte said scrutiny around intimate scenes can swiftly become deeply personal
• She recounted when an intimate scene from her film was leaked online
• Radhika admitted facing severe emotional distress

Actor Radhika Apte recalled the severe emotional toll following the leak of an intimate scene from one of her films, revealing that the incident left her unable to step out of her home for days.

Speaking exclusively to India Today about the intense scrutiny surrounding on-screen intimacy, the actor noted that the fallout often extends far into an artist's personal life.

"We were talking about being able to do intimate scenes, but once something I had done was leaked, I literally couldn’t step out of the house for four days. The problem is that it can come home very quickly. Your doorbell can ring, and somebody can be outside your house because they felt offended. So, it’s not that easy. It’s much more complicated," she said.

The actor recounted how the leaked clip quickly impacted her immediate surroundings, invading her personal space and daily interactions.

"But when it came to sexuality, the clip of mine leaked, and it became really difficult. I remember my stylist telling me that her driver couldn’t stop looking at the clip and kept asking her, 'You’re going to her house?' My watchman had seen it as well. Things like that started happening, and it became very difficult to deal with," Radhika added.

At the time, the incident also left her deeply concerned about her personal safety.

The 41-year-old said, "I eventually called my driver and my spot dada and told them, 'There is a clip that has been leaked. Have you seen it? Because if you have not, I’ll send it to you. Watch it. If you’re okay with it, then you have to protect me. Otherwise, do not work with me. Here’s your salary; you can go'."

Their response, she said, gave her some reassurance. "And they both said, 'We will look after you'. I was really scared because I was living alone in an apartment at the time. So yes, it can get quite tricky," Radhika added.

Radhika also spoke about how fear has, on another occasion, affected a professional decision. Without naming the project, she revealed that she once turned down something she “really, really wanted to do” because she was worried about the possible consequences for her family.

"There was also a project I really, really wanted to do — I can’t mention which one — but I couldn’t do it because I got very scared. It was because of the political environment at that particular time. And by political, I don’t mean just politics; politics can mean many different things," she said. She highlighted that the decision was particularly difficult because she had never previously allowed fear to dictate her choices.

"I was very ashamed because I had never, ever taken a decision based on fear. But eventually, I decided not to do it because it could have jeopardised my entire family. I had heard of certain incidents, and (director) Anurag also told me not to do it. So, something like that has happened to me before, and it had nothing to do with sex or sexuality," she added.

Radhika featured alongside actors Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee and Konkona Sen Sharma in director Vikramaditya Motwane's segment Husband Swap from the anthology film, Lust Stories 3.

India Today, in its review of the film, wrote, "Konkona and Radhika are both terrific as women trying to negotiate motherhood, marriage and desire without losing themselves in the process. But it is Vijay Varma who repeatedly steals the frame. There is a lovely subtlety to his performance, a confidence in occupying a scene without needing to say much at all. His chemistry with both women feels effortless, never performed."

Lust Stories 3 is available for streaming on Netflix.

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