Actress Radhika Apte, known for her forthright opinions, has raised a critical voice against a troubling trend in contemporary cinema. In a recent interview, she expressed strong disapproval of films that mistakenly portray obsession and controlling behavior as passionate love.
Radhika Apte's Stance on Toxic Portrayals of Love
In a candid conversation with Hindustan Times, the 'Pad Man' and 'Merry Christmas' actress did not hold back. She stated that many films today normalize harmful dynamics by presenting control as romance. "Love is not about forcing someone to adjust or suffer," Apte asserted. She warned that when audiences repeatedly see such depictions on screen, they begin to accept them as normal, which is both wrong and dangerous.
Radhika Apte clarified her perspective on what constitutes genuine affection. For her, love is synonymous with freedom, respect, and happiness. It should not be a source of consistent pain. "You can’t call it love. I don’t agree with the notion," she said, referring to relationships that involve repeated hurt.
Addressing Her Role in 'Saali Mohabbat'
The actress was recently seen in Tisca Chopra's directorial debut, 'Saali Mohabbat', where she starred alongside 'Mirzapur' fame Divyenndu Sharma. In the film, her character takes an extreme step after enduring betrayal and mistreatment from her husband.
However, Apte was quick to distinguish her character's actions from love. "That’s the problem. I don’t think that in the film, what happens is something happening out of passionate love," she explained. She emphasized that the character's drastic decision is a consequence of long-term injustice and repeated bad behavior, not a grand romantic gesture. "It’s clearly happening from being treated badly over and over again," she added.
A Call for Change in Storytelling
Radhika Apte voiced her exhaustion with seeing these toxic ideas glorified in movies. She believes it is high time for such narratives to stop. The actress advocates for stories that reflect healthier, more realistic relationships.
On the work front, apart from 'Saali Mohabbat', Radhika Apte was also seen in the film 'Sister Midnight'. Throughout her career, she has been vocal about industry issues, including facing stereotyping and body-shaming.
By speaking out, Radhika Apte joins a crucial conversation about the social responsibility of cinema and the need to challenge narratives that confuse control with care.
