Deepika Padukone Urges 8-Hour Workdays After Spirit & Kalki Exits, Calls for Real Support for New Mothers

Bollywood star says burnout is glorified, maternity policies long overdue

Deepika Padukone, in a candid interview with Harper’s Bazaar India, has criticized the Bollywood culture of overwork, arguing that “we mistake burnout for commitment.” According to sources, she’s calling for eight-hour workdays and stronger workplace support for new mothers.

New Delhi, India (Star Struck Times) — Bollywood A-lister Deepika Padukone has reignited debate on working culture in the film industry, stressing that long hours and burnout are normalized — and placing particular importance on better support for new mothers. Her remarks come just weeks after reported exits from two big-ticket films, Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD.

In a frank conversation with Harper’s Bazaar India, Deepika said she firmly believes an eight-hour workday is “ideal,” especially for actors navigating both career and parenthood. “We’ve normalized overworking. We mistake burnout for commitment,” she told the magazine.

The 38-year-old mother, who welcomed her daughter Dua in September 2024, reflected on how motherhood has reshaped her priorities. “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,” she said.

Deepika didn’t shy away from pointing out a double standard: while male actors often work fixed hours without public scrutiny, her requests for structure are being framed as controversial.

She also revealed that her own team practices what she preaches — her office runs Monday through Friday, eight hours a day, with maternity and paternity policies actively in place. She even supports the idea of bringing children to work when needed.

“Only when you’re healthy can you give your best,” Deepika argued, adding that “bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one.”

Her statements follow her reported exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. According to media reports, her insistence on fixed hours and a shorter shift was not aligned with the production’s expectations.

The reaction across the industry has been mixed. While some applaud her push for better work-life balance, others question the feasibility of such demands on large-scale, VFX-heavy productions. Still, her stance is gaining traction as a catalyst for change in Bollywood’s demanding work culture.

In her defense, Deepika reiterated that her call isn’t a power play — it’s about sustainable work environments, especially for mothers returning to their professions.

As debates swirl, fans and industry watchers alike are closely watching how Deepika’s position may reshape norms for work hours, gender equality, and mental well-being in Bollywood.

FAQs:

Q: Why did Deepika exit Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD?
A: Reports suggest her exit is tied to her demands for a shorter, eight-hour workday, which she says was not adequately accommodated by the productions.

Q: What workplace changes is she advocating for?
A: Deepika is calling for fixed work hours (8 hours/day), maternity and paternity policies, and normalization of bringing children to work.

Q: How has motherhood influenced her views?
A: Since becoming a mother, Deepika says she has a renewed respect for her own mother and deeply feels that new mothers need more structural support upon returning to work.