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Why did Deepika Padukone exit major projects like Kalki 2898 AD and Spirit? Are her demands really “unreasonable”—or is Bollywood still uncomfortable with empowered women asserting boundaries?
Deepika Padukone addresses controversy over her 8-hour workday demand.
Mumbai: After weeks of speculation, actress Deepika Padukone has finally addressed the controversies surrounding her exit from two major upcoming films—Kalki 2898 AD (sequel) and Spirit, both high-budget productions that generated massive buzz.
In a recent interview with a media channel, during a Live Love Laugh Foundation event celebrating 10 years of mental health advocacy, Deepika opened up about her side of the story—revealing long-standing issues in the Indian film industry, particularly around gender bias and workplace norms.
At the centre of the storm was Deepika’s alleged demand to limit her working hours to 8 hours a day, reportedly after becoming a mother last year. The media was quick to paint her request as “demanding”—but the actress pointed out the industry's double standards.
“It is no secret that many male superstars in the Indian film industry work only 8 hours, Monday to Friday. But when a woman asks for the same, it becomes a controversy,” she said.
Deepika stressed that she wasn't asking for special treatment but for professional working hours, which are already common practice among leading male actors.
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The Padmaavat star added that she has often fought her battles behind closed doors—be it around fair pay, working hours, or basic on-set facilities. “Sometimes they become public, but that's never my intention,” she said. “I’ve always believed in fighting with dignity.”
She criticised the broader industry culture, calling it disorganised and outdated. “The film industry calls itself an 'industry', but we’ve never really functioned like one," she said, alluding to long, unstructured shoot days and inconsistent work practices.
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Reports of Deepika exiting the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD were confirmed by Vyjayanthi Movies in an official statement on X (formerly Twitter), stating that both sides “couldn’t find a partnership.”
In Spirit, she reportedly clashed with the team over not just work hours, but also profit-sharing clauses, dialogue preferences, and entourage costs—including a 25-member crew and luxury accommodations.
As per sources, Deepika had asked for a 25% increase in her acting fee, and a 7-hour workday, which producers felt would delay production. While some labeled the demands excessive, others questioned whether similar scrutiny would apply to male actors.
Deepika breaks silence on high-profile exits.
Following the Kalki announcement, Deepika posted on Instagram, celebrating her 6th film with Shah Rukh Khan, titled King. Her caption appeared to be a subtle response: “The experience of making a movie, and the people you make it with, matter far more than its success.”
Fans saw this as a graceful yet pointed message aimed at recent controversies.
Deepika Padukone’s stance has sparked an industry-wide debate: Is Bollywood still resistant to women asserting professional boundaries? While she may have exited two massive projects, her choice to speak out could influence how female actors are treated going forward.
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