The conversation around work-life balance in Bollywood has intensified ever since reports emerged that actress Deepika Padukone was dropped from director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit. Her alleged request for an eight-hour workday along with substantial salary and profit share reportedly clashed with the director’s expectations, leading to her ouster.
This has resulted in debate on actors’ rights, boundaries and burnout, with several celebrities voicing their opinions, many in support of Deepika’s stance. However, Farah Khan has now offered a contrasting perspective.
In a recent YouTube vlog, Farah visited actress Radhika Madan who took a trip down memory lane to recount her early acting days. Radhika remembered her first audition for Meri Aashiqui Tumse Hi, sharing how instinctively comfortable she felt in front of the camera. She revealed that she didn’t expect to be selected but was called for a look test within three days and began shooting shortly after.
When Farah curiously asked if Radhika had the luxury of an eight-hour shift in her early days, the actress responded that she had worked “56 hours non-stop” or “48 hours non-stop” on certain projects. Farah didn’t express concern over the extreme working hours but instead responded with a saying, “Aise tapke hi toh sona banta hai,” loosely translating to, “It’s under pressure that gold is forged.” The remark subtly signaled her disagreement with the notion of limited-hour workdays in the film industry.
This perspective stands in sharp contrast to the support Deepika has received in recent weeks. Celebrities like Vikrant Massey, Rashmika Mandanna and Anurag Basu have come forward to endorse the idea of humane schedules and the importance of maintaining a personal-professional balance, especially for a new mother like Deepika.
Deepika’s removal from Spirit, which stars Prabhas, was reportedly tied to her emphasis on limiting working hours to accommodate her personal life following motherhood. While her request sparked support from sections of the industry and audience, it also exposed how deeply ingrained the culture of long, unrelenting schedules is within Bollywood.
The irony in this situation is that Farah Khan and Deepika Padukone share a longstanding professional history. Farah was the one who launched Deepika’s film career with Om Shanti Om, a project that marked a major milestone in both their careers. Yet, with this latest statement, Farah appears to align more with the traditional Bollywood ethos of tireless hustle than with Deepika’s call for balance.
As the industry continues to debate what’s acceptable in the name of dedication, the divide between old-school expectations and a newer, health-conscious approach to work is becoming ever more apparent.
