Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone sparked a debate around an eight-hour shift for actors in the industry after her reported exit from Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD. Now, in a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar India, Deepika spoke about why an eight-hour shift is ideal and urged greater support for new mothers in the workplace.
Deepika Padukone urges more support for new mothers
When asked if motherhood had changed her in any way, Deepika said, “One hundred per cent. Every cliché is true. When mothers say, ‘You’ll understand when you become one,’ it’s true. I have so much more respect for my mother now. You can plan how you think you’ll navigate work and motherhood, but the reality is very different. I feel strongly about how new mothers need to be supported when they return to work. That’s something I want to focus on.”
She further explained why an eight-hour work shift is ideal for actors, saying, “We’ve normalised overworking. We mistake 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. In my own office, we work eight hours a day, Monday to Friday. We have maternity and paternity policies. We should normalise bringing children to work.”
About Deepika Padukone’s exit from Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD
Deepika gave birth to her first child, Dua Padukone Singh, in September 2024. In May, she reportedly exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit. Soon after her exit, reports suggested that the actor had demanded a share in profits and an eight-hour shift, which allegedly did not sit well with the director. Sandeep later replaced Deepika with Triptii Dimri opposite Prabhas.
Later, in September, the actor was dropped from Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD sequel as well. Vyjayanthi Movies made the announcement via a statement on X, writing: “This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. After careful consideration, we have decided to part ways. Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to find a partnership. And a film like @Kalki2898AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future works.” Soon after, reports claimed that the fallout stemmed from the actor’s demands for a 25% pay hike, a five-star hotel stay for her team, and a seven-hour workday.
About Deepika Padukone’s upcoming movies
Deepika has two major projects lined up. She will be seen in Atlee’s AA22 x A6, which also stars Allu Arjun in the lead. The film will feature both actors in an action-packed avatar and is touted to be a sci-fi actioner, already generating significant buzz. Deepika also has Shah Rukh Khan’s King in the pipeline. Directed by Siddharth Anand, the film also stars Jaideep Ahlawat, Abhishek Bachchan and Suhana Khan in key roles. It is expected to release in 2026.
