Actress Deepika Padukone has spoken out after discussions emerged about her decision to request an eight-hour working day on sets, following her exit from Spirit and the Kalki 2898 AD sequel. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, she addressed the criticism and explained her reasoning behind the move.
Deepika noted that male actors in the Indian film industry have long been working similar schedules, but it has not drawn much attention. “By virtue of being a woman, if that’s coming across as being pushy or whatever, then so be it. But it is no secret that a lot of superstars, male superstars, in the Indian film industry, have been working for eight hours for years, and it’s never made headlines,” she said.
She added that many male actors work eight hours a day, Monday to Friday, often without working on weekends. “I don’t want to take names now and make this into a whole thing, but it is very commonly, publicly known that a lot of male actors have been working for eight hours a day for years,” Deepika explained.
Speaking about the larger industry, she reflected on its working culture. “Even though the Indian film industry is termed as an industry, we have never really worked like an industry. It is a very disorganised industry. I think it’s time we brought in some system into this culture,” she said.
Deepika exited Spirit reportedly because her request to limit her working hours so she could spend time with her daughter, Dua, was not met. Soon after, Vyjayanthi Movies confirmed that she would no longer be part of the Kalki 2898 AD sequel, noting that the decision followed “careful consideration” and that a film like Kalki requires a high level of “commitment.”
On the work front, Deepika has already started shooting for Siddharth Anand’s King, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan. She will also appear in Atlee’s upcoming project AA22xA6 alongside Allu Arjun. With these projects lined up, Deepika is moving forward while emphasizing the importance of structured work hours and balance in the industry, a conversation that continues to resonate with both actors and audiences.
Also Read: PHOTOS: Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone Share a Hug As They Return to Mumbai
Also Read: PHOTOS: Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone Share a Hug As They Return to Mumbai