Deepika Padukone’s request for an 8-hour work shift for her role in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit led to her removal from the project, igniting a heated conversation about work-life balance in Bollywood.
Sunil Darshan Speaks Out
Veteran filmmaker Sunil Darshan, known for films like Janwar, Andaaz, and Mere Jeevan Saathi, expressed his disagreement with Deepika’s demands. In a recent interview, he labeled her 8-hour shift condition as “unrealistic”.
He stated,
> “If an actor asks for an 8-hour shift, the producer should get a written assurance that they will fully utilize those 8 hours. In reality, if they give even 4 hours of productive work, the producer would be grateful.”
“No One is Irreplaceable,” Says Darshan
Sunil Darshan reminded everyone that no one in the industry is beyond replacement.
> “There was a time when Deepika wasn’t a part of this industry. If she steps away, there are many new talents ready to step in,” he added.
Why Was Deepika Dropped from Spirit?
According to reports, Deepika placed several conditions for signing Spirit, including:
A strict 8-hour shift limit
A higher fee
A share in the film’s profits
Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga reportedly rejected these terms and cast Triptii Dimri instead.
Stars Divided on the Issue
While Sunil Darshan opposed Deepika’s demand, many Bollywood celebrities supported her, including:
Kajol
Ajay Devgn
Rashmika Mandanna
Vikrant Massey
Saif Ali Khan
Anurag Basu
In an interview, Rashmika said,
> “Flexible working hours are a growing topic across the country. It depends on what works for the team.”
Deepika’s Perspective: Balancing Motherhood and Career
Deepika, who gave birth to her first child Dua Padukone Singh in September last year, is reportedly adjusting her schedule to better manage work and motherhood.
The ongoing debate has shed light on a larger issue: how Bollywood adapts to changing expectations around work-life balance, especially for female actors returning after motherhood. Whether Deepika’s dem
ands were fair or not, her stance has certainly stirred necessary conversations.
