Radhika Apte has never been one to shy away from speaking her mind. The actress, who is currently promoting the Netflix anthology Lust Stories 3, recently revisited some of the films she grew up loving and found herself deeply unsettled by what she saw. In a candid conversation with News18, Apte revealed that watching old Shah Rukh Khan films as an adult made her realise how often chasing a woman and ignoring her refusal was presented as romance. Her comments have sparked a fresh conversation about consent, the male gaze, and the way Bollywood shaped an entire generation’s idea of love.
What Radhika Apte Said About Old SRK Films
A self-confessed Shah Rukh Khan fan, Apte said she was “really taken aback” when she revisited some of the films she once enjoyed. The actress, who has starred in critically acclaimed projects like Andhadhun, Badlapur, and Sacred Games, explained that scenes she once found romantic now felt uncomfortable and even scary.
“No offence… I’m a huge Shah Rukh fan, but when I revisited some of the old films I used to like, I was really taken aback. Because when a woman says no, it’s never taken as no. Chasing a woman was romance. That’s what we wanted at that time, and it was really shocking.”
The actress also recalled specific tropes that were once seen as dreamy, such as a woman being tied up or her pallu being pulled. “Being tied and our pallu being taken off were the dreams we used to get as teenagers. How scary is that,” she said. For Apte, the realisation was not just about individual films but about how these portrayals shaped the romantic expectations of young girls, including herself.
The Lust Stories 3 Interview Context
Apte’s comments came during a joint interview with her Lust Stories 3 collaborators, including director Vikramaditya Motwane, actor Vijay Varma, and filmmaker Shakun Batra. The conversation, moderated by CNN-News18’s Titas Chowdhury, explored themes of female desire, onscreen intimacy, and the judgmental gaze of audiences. Apte used the platform to call out the problematic aspects of popular culture, including not just Shah Rukh Khan’s romances but also the male gaze in Raj Kapoor’s classics and even the hit sitcom Friends.
Shakun Batra On Raj Kapoor And Male Gaze
The discussion expanded beyond Shah Rukh Khan when Shakun Batra brought up Raj Kapoor’s films like Mera Naam Joker (1970) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985). Batra noted that while Kapoor was comfortable exploring desire, those stories were still told from a male point of view. Apte agreed and took the argument further, pointing out that women were often sexualised on screen while simultaneously being placed on a pedestal of morality.
“But even at that time, the gaze was always male. And the women were sexualized. You’re putting that element down and making jokes at its expense anyway. That’s the problem — the sexualisation of women, and then by saying, ‘Don’t sexualize them’, and then calling them devi, and putting them on some pedestal of morality that you approve of. I find that problematic.”
Apte’s critique highlighted a double standard that existed in Hindi cinema for decades — women were objectified on one hand and expected to be virtuous on the other.
Why This Conversation Matters Now
Apte’s reflections arrive at a time when audiences are increasingly re-examining older films through the lens of consent. Shah Rukh Khan’s 1993 film Darr, in which he played an obsessive stalker, has been a recurring topic of debate. Over the years, critics and writers have questioned how the film romanticised stalking and possessiveness under the guise of love. Apte’s comments add a personal and emotional dimension to this ongoing reckoning.
The actress was careful to clarify that her criticism does not come from a place of dislike for Shah Rukh Khan. She has repeatedly described herself as a “huge fan” and has spoken warmly about the actor in the past. In a previous interview, she even recalled missing a call from him and thinking it was a prank. Her point is not about the actor but about the stories that were told and the messages they sent to young viewers.
Bollywood Has Changed But More Work Remains
Apte acknowledged that Bollywood has made progress since the days when stalking was framed as courtship. “We’ve come a long way, but there’s also a long way to go, not only for women, but also men and society. That’s all ever-evolving,” she said. Her words reflect a growing awareness in the industry about the need for stories that respect consent and portray women as more than objects of pursuit.
At the same time, Apte’s own career reflects the kind of nuanced storytelling she advocates for. In Lust Stories 3, she stars in Vikramaditya Motwane’s segment, which explores themes of desire and relationships with a fresh perspective. The anthology, which premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2026, brings together four directors — Motwane, Kiran Rao, Shakun Batra, and Vishal Bhardwaj — for four stories about love, intimacy, and the complexities of human connection. The ensemble cast includes Konkona Sen Sharma, Aditi Rao Hydari, Radhika Madan, Vijay Varma, Abhishek Banerjee, Ali Fazal, Siddharth, and Gurfateh Pirzada.
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Radhika Apte On Female Desire And Modern Storytelling
In the same interview, Apte also spoke about the broader challenges women face when it comes to prioritising their own desires. She noted that women often have “zero time” for themselves due to work, motherhood, and household responsibilities. She connected this to the themes of Lust Stories 3, explaining that desire can be as simple as taking a walk or having a moment of peace.
Apte’s willingness to speak openly about these issues has made her one of the most respected voices in the industry. Whether she is questioning old tropes or championing new narratives, she continues to push for stories that reflect the realities of women’s lives rather than the fantasies of a male gaze.
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