Radhika Apte says she was asked to shoot action scene in open shirt without bra

Actress Radhika Apte has often spoken openly about her experiences in the film industry. In a recent interview, she described an unsettling experience during the shooting of an action film, which has now set off a discussion.

Radhika said she was asked to keep her shirt buttons open, without wearing a bra, for one scene. According to her, she was asked: "Can you do the action scene wearing only a shirt, with the buttons open, without a bra?"

Radhika opposed the demand. She said that attempts were nonetheless made to pressure her into doing the scene in undergarments.

In action scenes, an actress is expected to attract or arouse the audience. Radhika also gave her view on this. In her opinion, before accepting a role, an actress must get clear information about the character and how she will be portrayed.

Radhika said that if a character is to be shown in a particular way in a film, that decision should be communicated at the outset. The actress should then have the right to decide whether to accept the role, she said.

However, she said, a different kind of scene is sometimes demanded just two days before the shoot, and pressure is applied over clothing. In such a situation, the experience becomes distressing and mentally exhausting, she explained. She feels there should be clarity about the role and the scenes from the start, rather than such last-minute demands.

When intimate or nudity scenes are filmed on film sets, intimacy coordinators work to ensure that the limits and consent of the artistes are respected. Even so, Radhika said, the pressure on artistes has not ended entirely.

According to her, intimacy coordinators can be removed from their jobs if they take the artistes' side or oppose the producers' demands. She said coordinators who worked in the interest of artistes have also been dismissed under pressure from producers. At times, she said, they too have to work according to the producers' instructions. She therefore expressed the view that although this system has brought change, it cannot be said that artistes have become fully safe.

Radhika Apte's remarks have revived discussion on the consent of artistes in the film industry, clarity about scenes before filming, and a safe environment on sets.