“She Has Earned It”: Kangana Ranaut Defends Deepika Padukone's 8-Hour Work Shift Demand
Kangana Ranaut has defended Deepika Padukone over her demand for an 8-hour work shift as a new mother.
The debate surrounding work-life balance in the high-octane world of Bollywood has found a new and vocal ally. Actress and politician Kangana Ranaut has officially stepped into the conversation, lending her support to Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone’s recent demand for an eight-hour work shift. The move comes after reports surfaced that Deepika’s insistence on shorter working hours – prioritizing her role as a new mother – led to her high-profile exit from two major projects.
ALSO READ | Deepika Padukone Breaks Silence On 8-Hour Shift Row After ‘Spirit’ And ‘Kalki 2’ Exit
The discussion was ignited last year when headlines were dominated by Deepika’s shock exit from director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming Prabhas-starrer, ‘Spirit’. Sources suggested the departure was rooted in a fundamental disagreement over working hours, with Deepika requesting a strictly regulated schedule to care for her newborn daughter. This was followed by her departure from the highly anticipated sequel to ‘Kalki 2898 AD’.
Deepika’s stance has since divided the industry. While many lauded her for setting boundaries as a working parent, others – including some production houses – argued that the sheer scale of modern blockbusters requires a level of commitment and flexibility that an eight-hour cap might hinder.
In a recent appearance on an ANI podcast, Kangana Ranaut addressed the controversy head-on. Eschewing her often-contentious history with industry peers, Kangana was emphatic in her support for Deepika Padukone.
“I don't think there should be an issue created out of this because if you see where she (Deepika Padukone) is coming from, she has earned that place. She has a daughter; she's a mother now and the top-most actress. If today she is keen to work for eight hours, she has earned it,” Kangana stated.
Kangana also offered a rare glimpse into the personal history between the two leading ladies, recalling a conversation from their younger days when both were striving to make their mark. Kangana shared, “Deepika and I, when we were together, she said that they were working on Imtiaz's [Ali] film or something. She said, ‘We have a 12-hour shift.’ In response, I said that I work for only 10 hours. She's like, ‘You know, that's amazing.’”
The actress and politician acknowledged that the industry's gruelling culture often demands a "ferocious" appetite for work, particularly for newcomers. However, she argued that the rules of the game must evolve as an actor's life and seniority change.
“So, there was a time when we wouldn't settle for anything less than 12-14 hours because we were ferocious. We wanted it. We were at it. We were going for it. We wanted to be successful and wanted all these things. Let me just conclude it with this. You know, when you're new, you're coming up, and you are replaceable. Your place is different. She (Deepika), being where she is, she's a mother. She's got a family to look after,” Kangana added.
Despite the fallout from ‘Spirit’ and the ‘Kalki’ sequel, Deepika Padukone’s slate remains formidable. Fans can look forward to seeing her in Atlee’s ‘Raaka’ alongside Allu Arjun, as well as in the Shah Rukh Khan-led ‘King’.
Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut is balancing her political duties with a busy film schedule. Following her portrayal of Indira Gandhi in ‘Emergency’, the actress is set to make her international debut in the horror-drama ‘Blessed Be the Evil’.
