Actress Deepika Padukone has started a discussion on working hours in the entertainment industry after her alleged exit from films ‘Spirit’ and ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. Padukone’s recent comments on the topic have focused on the challenges faced by actors regarding work schedules and workplace support. Now, in a recent interview, the actor outlined his perspective on working hours for actors.

Speaking to Harper’s Bazaar India, Padukone emphasized that Eight-hour shifts should be seen as the norm. He shared his views about the importance of a balanced workday in the industry and suggested that such a change would benefit those involved in film production. According to Padukone, a more structured work schedule can help reduce the stress and exhaustion that often accompanies long, unpredictable shooting days.

She said, “We have normalized overwork. We mistake burnout for commitment. Eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind. Only when you are healthy can you give your best. Putting a burnt-out person back into the system doesn’t help anyone. In my own office, we work eight hours a day, Monday through Friday. We have maternity and paternity policies. We should normalize bringing kids to work.”

Padukone advocates eight-hour shift This news comes amidst reports that he has left the projects ‘Spirit’ and ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. The discussion has also inspired others in the industry to consider how extended workdays may impact creativity, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

Highlighting another important issue, Deepika Padukone urged for more support for new mothers within the workplace. She drew attention to the unique challenges faced by women returning to work after childbirth, underscoring the need for increased support in the industry.

She said, “Every cliché is true. When mothers say, ‘You’ll understand when you’re one’, it’s true. I have so much more respect for my mother now. You can plan how you think you’ll handle work and motherhood, but the reality is very different. I feel strongly about how new mothers need support when they return to work. This is something I want to focus on.”

Deepika welcomed her first child, Dua Padukone Singh, in September 2024. Earlier in May, she reportedly walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s ‘Spirit’. Soon after, rumors claimed that she had asked for profit sharing and eight-hour work shifts, conditions that reportedly did not sit well with the director. Tripti Dimri was later brought in to act opposite Prabhas.

In September, Deepika was also dropped from the sequel of Nag Ashwin’s ‘Kalki 2898 AD’.