Post by : Rameen Ariff

Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has broken her silence after facing criticism over her demand for an eight-hour work shift during film shoots. The row arose following her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD sequel.

Deepika stated that even though the Indian film industry is called an "industry," it has never really operated like one. She added that the industry is very disorganized and it is time to introduce more structure and systems into film production.

Deepika addressed the criticism about her decision to work only eight hours a day. She said, “By virtue of being a woman, if that comes across as being pushy, so be it. But it is no secret that many male superstars have been working for eight hours a day for years, and it never makes headlines.” She emphasized that male actors often work Monday to Friday and take weekends off, a practice rarely questioned in public.

The actor reportedly left Spirit because her demands for an eight-hour workday, so she could spend time with her daughter Dua, were not met. Similarly, Vyjayanthi Movies announced that Deepika would no longer be part of the Kalki 2898 AD sequel, stating that a project of that scale requires a higher level of commitment.

Despite these exits, Deepika has quickly resumed work on other projects. She recently began shooting for King, directed by Siddharth Anand, starring Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan, and Abhishek Bachchan. She is also set to star in Atlee’s upcoming film AA22xA6 alongside Allu Arjun.

Deepika’s statements have sparked discussion about the working culture in Bollywood. Her insistence on a balanced schedule reflects growing awareness of work-life balance and women’s rights in the film industry. Fans and critics have praised her for speaking up, highlighting the need for better working conditions for actors across genders.

#Entertainment News