RADHIKA APTE, 22, theatre actor
Buzz: Versatile and prolific, noticed in performances like Bombay Black
Make it mantra: Focus and explore
Work hard. Travel harder, that’s the mantra of theatre actor Radhika Apte’s life. When the 22-year-old is not facing the arc lights, she just likes to back pack and explore new places. While she has already seen several parts of India and Europe, this year she is hoping to take in the sights and sounds of Cuba and Colusa. Apart from her extensive travel plans, Radhika is excited about her two movie projects. She will soon be seen in Akash Khurana’s Life on Line based on the lives of youngsters working in an astrology portal and Sumitra Bhave’s Savitri which revolves around the fun-filled experiences in a village girl’s life.

Radhika’s journey as a performer started at an early age. The economics graduate’s stint with her college theatre group won her professional projects like Purnagram, Matradaata and Mohit Takalkar’s Tu. Later, she made an appearance in Ganesh Yadav’s Shobhayatra, a hard hitting satire on the present day society, as Jhansi Ki Rani.

In the last few years, apart from shifting to Mumbai, Radhika has also gradually made a mark in English plays like Rehaan Engineer’s That Time and Vijay Tendulkar’s award-winning Kanyadaan. “I was very happy when I got an opportunity to act in Kanyadaan. Working with stalwarts like Lillette Dubey and Rajendra Gupta has been a huge learning experience,” she says. The pretty lady also won rave reviews for her portrayal of Apsara in Shaimak Davar’s debut production Bombay Black.

Despite acting in major productions, the biggest hurdle that Radhika has faced as an actor is insecurity. “It’s not something that I have overcome yet. The other factor that has been a constant challenge is consistency. I am still trying to achieve it.” She counts hard work, dedication, concentration and knowledge as the key factors to achieve success. The actor who considers Naseeruddin Shah as her role model is hugely motivated by the vibrant spaces where plays are staged. Not surprising, since these avenues have given her the ticket to fame, success and Bollywood!