Deepika Padukone Defends 8-Hour Workday Demand Amid Film Exits: ‘We Have Normalised Overworking’

Mumbai: Actress Deepika Padukone has defended her request for an eight-hour workday following her exits from two major Bollywood projects, Spirit and Kalki 2. The actress, who recently became a mother, has highlighted the need to normalize reasonable work hours and prevent burnout in the film industry.

In an interaction with Harper’s Bazaar, Deepika spoke about how motherhood has reshaped her approach toward work. She emphasized that society has long normalized overworking, often mistaking burnout for commitment. “Eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind. Only when you’re healthy can you give your best. Bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one,” she said.

Deepika shared that in her own office, the team works eight hours a day, Monday to Friday, with supportive maternity and paternity policies. She also suggested that workplaces should consider allowing parents to bring children to work, normalizing family-friendly policies.

Addressing Bollywood Work Culture
Weeks after her exit from Kalki 2, Deepika spoke to CNBC-TV18, highlighting ongoing issues around working conditions and pay parity in Bollywood. She said, “I have done this at many levels; this is not new to me. I have always fought my battles silently. For some reason, sometimes they become public, which is not the way I know. But yes, to fight my battles silently and in a dignified way is the way I know.”

Exits from Spirit and Kalki 2
Earlier this year, Deepika was reportedly ousted from Spirit and Kalki 2 after requesting shorter working hours and a fee hike. Makers of both films claimed they tried to negotiate her demands, but the actress remained firm. Her stand has now sparked a broader conversation about work-life balance, respect for new mothers, and fair working conditions in the Indian film industry.

Deepika’s comments come at a time when Bollywood is increasingly under scrutiny for long working hours, over-demanding schedules, and pay disparities, and her stance could pave the way for a more balanced work culture in the industry.