Following her removal from Spirit and Kalki 2898, Deepika Padukone has sparked widespread discussion about working conditions in Bollywood. Her stance on limiting workdays to eight hours became a focal point for debate after the Kalki sequel exit, drawing attention to the pressures faced by actors, particularly working mothers.
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar India, Deepika explained that motherhood has profoundly reshaped her perspective on work-life balance. “Maternity has transformed everything for me. You think you can handle work and parenting simultaneously, but it is far more challenging than anticipated. Returning mothers deserve far greater support,” she said.
Addressing the question of why actors should maintain eight-hour workdays, Deepika emphasised that overworking has wrongly become the industry norm. “We often confuse extreme fatigue with commitment. Eight hours is sufficient for physical and mental health. Only when you are healthy can you truly perform your best. Exhausted individuals cannot deliver quality work.”
Deepika further shared that she applies these principles in her own office, working strictly from Monday to Friday for eight hours. She believes parenting and professional responsibilities deserve equal importance, and that workplaces should adapt to include children in a natural, supportive way.
After the birth of her second child in September 2024, Deepika took a brief hiatus but has since returned to acting. Despite the setbacks of being dropped from two films, she is currently working on Shah Rukh Khan’s King and will also feature alongside Allu Arjun in Atlee Kumar’s upcoming AA22 x A6. Her firm stance highlights the growing conversation around work-life balance and wellness in the entertainment industry.