Radhika Apte, known for her roles in projects like "Raat Akeli Hai 2," has recently reflected on her early career, revealing a less-than-pleasant experience with her debut film, "Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!". In a recent interview, Apte expressed her desire to forget the 2005 film, citing mistreatment by the producers as the primary reason.
Apte specifically called out the producers, including Sangeetha Ahir, for not providing proper accommodation and failing to pay her for her work. She recounted an incident where, upon requesting a contract, she and her mother were met with resistance and the dismissive response that even established actresses like Urmila Matondkar didn't necessarily sign contracts. Apte stated, "The awful producers didn't put me up, didn't pay me. When my mother and I asked them to sign a contract, they said, 'Arey, even Urmila Matondkar didn't sign a contract. I don't know if she signed or not,' but they treated us horribly". She has completed 20 years in the film industry.
Despite the negative experience with the production, Apte had positive things to say about the film's director, Mahesh Manjrekar. "Mahesh Manjrekar was a great guy," she acknowledged. "That's why I like to forget my film because the production was awful! And I say it out loud".
Apte also shared how she landed the role in "Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!", which featured Shahid Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Amrita Rao and Arshad Warsi. She was cast after Manjrekar saw her in a play called "Brain Surgeon," which won an award at a state competition where he was a judge. Manjrekar felt that she was too young to be cast in his other films, "Rakht" and "Deha".
Following "Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi!", Apte took a break from films to complete her college education. As a result, she doesn't really consider the film as part of her filmography.
Currently, Radhika Apte is receiving praise for her performance in the psychological thriller "Saali Mohabbat," which premiered on ZEE5 on December 12, 2025. The film marks the feature directorial debut of Tisca Chopra.
