“My Driver, Watchman Recognised Me From The Images,” Says The Parched Actor Radhika Apte

Tracing an illustrious line of progress from humble beginnings to mainstream Bollywood success, Radhika Apte has firmly established herself in the diverse patchwork of Indian cinema. From independent dramas to high-profile Bollywood productions and the extraordinary synergy with Netflix, her rise to prominence is undeniable. Apte’s trajectory, by and large, piqued widespread interest without engaging in sensationalism or scandal.

However, a rather unfortunate incident briefly tainted this pattern when an explicit video clip featuring Apte from the film ‘Parched’ found its way onto the internet. The dissemination took place ahead of the movie’s Indian release, tracing back to a digital print leaked after its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2015. This unforeseen occurrence brought the film into the limelight for reasons that were both unanticipated and undesired by the filmmakers.

Apte found it regrettable that the infamous video leak frequently overshadowed her admirable performance despite being proudly associated with a project as significant as “Parched.”

In a candid interaction with Grazia magazine, Apte opened up about the aftermath of the video leak. “I was viciously trolled, which threw me off balance for a brief period,” she admitted. The fallout was such that she refrained from venturing outside her home for four days, not because of media backlash but rather due to fear of recognition and judgment from her driver, watchman, and stylist’s driver.

Emerging stronger in the face of adversity, Apte expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of ‘Parched’. She said, “It was a catharsis I dearly needed, considering the incessant scrutiny women in Bollywood are often subjected to regarding their physical appearances. I’ve always stood strong on the principle that I would never modify either body or face to fit into certain societal norms.” As a reflection of her inner fortitude, Apte chose to wield this incident as a testament to her resilience.