- Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam backs Deepika Padukone’s reported demand for 8-hour shooting shifts after her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit. Ratnam calls it a “rightful demand” and says working mothers deserve flexible, humane hours.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
Renowned filmmaker Mani Ratnam has lent his support to actor Deepika Padukone amid the ongoing controversy surrounding her reported exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit. The actor allegedly stepped away from the project after requesting an 8-hour workday clause in her contract—an ask that reportedly didn’t sit well with the makers.
While Deepika has not commented on the matter herself, Ratnam, in an interview with News18, addressed the heated debate around working hours and professionalism in the film industry. Without naming Vanga, Ratnam called Deepika’s demand absolutely valid.
“I think it is a rightful demand. I’m glad she’s in a position to ask for it. I think as a filmmaker, you will take that into consideration when you cast. It is not an unreasonable thing to ask, but an absolute necessity. I think that should be the priority. You have to acknowledge that, understand it and work around it,” Ratnam said, ahead of the release of his film Thug Life.
Deepika who few months ago gave birth to Dua Padukone Singh, is believed to have included the 8-hour cap to strike a balance between health, work, and family responsibilities. The issue has stirred conversations across the industry about the working conditions actors—particularly women and mothers—face on set.
Actor Ajay Devgn also weighed in on the matter earlier, aligning with Padukone.
“It’s not that it’s not going down well with people. Most of the 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 hour shifts,” Devgn said.
Soon after Deepika’s reported exit, Triptii Dimri was announced as the new female lead opposite Prabhas in Spirit. Dimri previously worked with Vanga in Animal.
Vanga responded to the reports via a strongly worded post on X, claiming the film’s script had been leaked and accusing unnamed individuals of sabotaging his project.
“When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, you’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are… Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for?” he wrote.
Spirit, produced by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures, is slated to go on floors soon. Despite the noise, the film continues to attract attention—both for its casting choices and the deeper industry debates it has reignited.
