When you think of a leading lady in Bollywood, you often picture the classic roles, but Radhika Apte has always shown variety and range in the characters she has played. She’s a fearless actor who has consistently chosen parts that are unique and challenging, breaking away from the typical heroines we see on screen. It’s this very knack of picking quirky, unconventional roles that has cemented her place as one of the most exciting and versatile performers in Indian cinema today. Instead of following the crowd, she’s created her own path, making every character she plays truly unforgettable. We take a look at 5 quirky roles essayed by Radhika Apte.

Lajjo in Parched (2016)

In the movie Parched, Radhika Apte’s character Lajjo is a woman living in a small village, stuck in a marriage gone sour. What’s special about this role is how her story shows a different kind of strength. Lajjo isn’t a loud fighter, her fight is quiet and personal. She is a woman who can’t have children and is being hurt by her husband. Her journey is about finding her own voice and feeling good about herself. Radhika’s acting was very powerful because she made Lajjo’s pain and courage feel real. She showed that real strength isn’t always about yelling or fighting, but about quietly staying strong and finding the courage to finally break free.

Mehak Deo in Phobia (2016)

In Phobia, Radhika Apte played Mehak Deo, who is a highly talented artist. An unfortunate traumatic event of being molested by a taxi driver causes her to develop extreme agoraphobia, a condition in which the individual is paranoid about being in public places and dislikes socializing with large groups of unknown people. Her acting was powerful because she made Mehak’s fear feel very real and close to home. She showed that a great story doesn’t need a lot of people or places, it can be built on the strong and raw feelings of just one person.

Archana in Madly (2017)

In Madly, Radhika Apte played Archana in the part called Clean Shaven. This role was special because her character’s story is all about a quiet, difficult feeling. Archana is a woman who is forced into a conservative married life. When her husband realizes that she has shaved her pubis, he decides to imprison her as a punishment. For her performance, Radhika Apte also won the award for the Best Actress in an International Narrative Feature Film at the Tribeca Film Festival Award.

Kalindi Dasgupta in Lust Stories (2018)

In the anthology film Lust Stories, Radhika Apte played Kalindi Dasgupta, a college teacher who gets into a messy relationship with one of her students. This role was unique because her character was a mix of many things, she was brave, soft, and a little bit strange all at once. Her inner struggle with her feelings and her sudden, almost obsessive behaviour felt very real and not like a normal character you would see in movies. Radhika’s acting was impactful because she didn’t play a perfect character. She showed the confusing side of love and relationships, making a strong point about women’s feelings and the mix-ups of modern relationships.

ACP Vijayashanti Naidu in Monica, O My Darling (2022)