- Wednesday, June 04, 2025
Amid Deepika Padukone’s reported feud with Sandeep Reddy Vanga over her 8-hour workday request for Spirit, Ajay Devgn voices support for working mothers, saying most filmmakers are already adapting to shorter shift norms.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
The ongoing rift between actress Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga over her alleged demand for an eight-hour workday on the sets of their upcoming film Spirit has taken a fresh turn, with actor Ajay Devgn coming forward in support of her stand.
The conversation around working mothers in Bollywood is gaining attention, particularly after Deepika reportedly exited the film due to creative and scheduling differences.
According to industry sources, Deepika Padukone, who recently embraced motherhood, had insisted on limiting her work shifts to eight hours a day. This demand allegedly did not sit well with Spirit director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, leading to tensions between the two and eventually her departure from the film. While the makers have not issued an official statement, the story has stirred debate in Bollywood circles.
Amid this backdrop, Ajay Devgn offered his perspective during the trailer launch of his wife Kajol’s upcoming film Maa. When asked whether the eight-hour shift clause is gaining acceptance among Bollywood filmmakers, Ajay Devgn stated, “It’s not that it’s not going down well with people.”
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He further added, “Most honest filmmakers will not have problems with it. And apart from this, being a mother and working for eight hours, most people have started working eight-nine hours shifts.”
His comment is being seen as a subtle nod of support for Deepika and other working mothers in the film industry who are advocating for more humane work schedules, especially post-parenthood. The actor’s pragmatic take has resonated with many on social media, where the issue has sparked widespread discussion.
Ajay’s wife and celebrated actress Kajol also spoke about motherhood and work-life balance in the industry. While she refrained from directly addressing the Spirit controversy, her presence at the event promoting Maa, a film revolving around a mother’s struggles, highlighted the need for more empathetic representation and working conditions for women in cinema.
Deepika’s reported demand is not unprecedented in global cinema. Many industries, particularly in Hollywood, have started to accept and enforce standardized working hours, especially to support female actors and crew with families. However, Bollywood still grapples with long, erratic shooting schedules that can stretch up to 14–16 hours a day.
As one of Bollywood’s leading ladies and a vocal advocate for mental health and work-life balance, Deepika’s stance has added weight to the larger conversation around gender-sensitive policies in film production. Her supporters argue that her request is neither unreasonable nor uncommon and reflects the evolving nature of workplace expectations in a post-pandemic world.
With actors like Ajay Devgn lending their voice to the matter, the industry may be inching closer to recognising the importance of flexible schedules, particularly for new mothers. Whether or not Spirit finds a new leading lady soon, the incident has already sparked a necessary dialogue in the entertainment world.
