Radhika Apte Opens Up About Motherhood, Postpartum Emotions, and Her Bold New Role in Sister Midnight

Radhika Apte, who welcomed her first child with Benedict Taylor in December last year, recently opened up about the emotional journey that came with becoming a new mom.

In a heartfelt conversation with ANI, the actor spoke candidly about preparing herself mentally for the challenges of postpartum life. She said she had discussed the possibility of postpartum depression with her close friends and family ahead of time, making sure a support system was in place.

"I was very prepared for postpartum, actually. And I had also made sure that my friends and family were aware that if I went into postpartum depression, they needed to support me," Radhika shared. "To my own surprise, I was just purely elated when I had a child. And fortunately, I didn’t suffer from severe depression at any point."

Still, Radhika was honest about the emotional ups and downs that followed. She didn’t sugarcoat the challenges that come with caring for a newborn around the clock.

"Looking after a child 24/7 is incredibly difficult. It’s such a massive shift in your life. There are days when you feel low, lost, and completely exhausted—mixed in with moments of pure joy and deep love for your child. Sometimes, you don’t even know what you’re feeling, and emotionally, it can be draining," she said.

She added that sleep deprivation only makes things harder: "It's a constant up and down. And honestly, it’s very natural and completely normal to feel that way."

Despite stepping into motherhood, Radhika hasn't slowed down professionally. On May 30, her latest film was Sister Midnight. The dark comedy, bursting with punk energy, was earlier screened at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival and has already sparked plenty of conversation.

Radhika plays Uma, a fierce, rebellious woman who challenges societal expectations, especially around arranged marriage. Talking about her character, Radhika said that while Uma may seem wild on the surface, she actually reflects a very real side of Indian women.

"I don’t think she’s all that different from many Indian women I’ve seen. Uma’s feral, yes, but I’ve met so many women with that same fire. She’s bold, but she’s also deeply relatable," Radhika explained.

With both her personal and professional lives entering new, exciting phases, Radhika Apte continues to be refreshingly honest — and as fearless as ever.