‘After working a 12-hour shift, a woman comes home, cooks food’: Radhika Apte

Radhika Apte has opened up about why women often struggle to make time for themselves while balancing work, motherhood and household responsibilities. Speaking in the context of ‘Lust Stories 3’, the actor stressed the need for women to have space to pursue their own interests and desires beyond the roles and responsibilities they are expected to fulfil.

Radhika Apte says women often have ‘zero time’ for themselves

Speaking to IANS, Radhika was asked whether men often have more time to think about their sexual desires, while working women may have little time to think about their own desires. The actor agreed with the observation and said women often have “zero time” because of their hectic routines.“I think what you said is so true because women have zero time, it's so hectic, and that's the problem,” Radhika told IANS.Discussing ‘Lust Stories 3’, she said the film also explored the idea of women making space for themselves and their desires.

Radhika recalled a line from the story in which the character Coco questions whether it is time to do something for themselves and their desires.According to Radhika, such desires do not necessarily have to be sexual. They can also be as simple as wanting to take a walk, explore a new place or do something solely for oneself.“Whether that's a sexual desire or desire to go to, you know, go to Borivali National Park for a walk, it doesn't matter,” she said.

‘You are also a person’: Radhika Apte on identity and motherhoodRadhika also spoke about how a woman’s identity can often become closely associated with motherhood after she has children. She stressed that becoming a mother does not mean that a woman stops having individual interests, ambitions and desires.“Identity completely switches to motherhood, and that's not true. You are also a person. There's also a small child inside you who wants to try different things and just live life,” she added.The actor’s comments highlighted the broader theme of women retaining a sense of individuality while navigating the responsibilities that come with motherhood and family life.

Radhika Apte highlights unequal household responsibilities

Radhika also pointed to the difference in how domestic responsibilities are often divided between men and women. She explained that while men may return home after a long day at work and rest, women can continue working through cooking, cleaning, childcare and other household tasks.“After working for 12 hours, a man comes home, has dinner, and goes to sleep. But that is not the case with women. After working a 12-hour shift, a woman comes home, cooks food, serves dinner to everyone, cleans the house, changes the bedsheets, prepares for the next day and takes care of all the household responsibilities.“And I know many women who have children, while their husbands want to get a good night's sleep, so they sleep in another room because they have to go to work.

And you know what? I go to work, and it’s way easier to go to work than to spend 12 hours at home with your child. It’s exhausting. So, I think that’s why, if the duties are shared, this won’t happen,” added Radhika.

Radhika Apte’s ‘Lust Stories 3’ segment explores female solidarity

Radhika features in the ‘Lust Stories 3’ segment directed by filmmaker Vikramaditya Motwane. The anthology premiered on Netflix on September 18, with Radhika’s segment exploring themes of husband-swapping and female solidarity. Radhika Apte essays the role of Padma in 'Lust Stories 3.'

Radhika Apte’s work slate

Apte was previously seen in 'Raat Akeli Hai: The Bansal Murders' as Radha alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui.