Deepika Padukone, one of the most celebrated actresses of Bollywood, has always been admired for her talent, dedication and willingness to speak her mind. Known for breaking barriers and setting new standards, she has recently become a focal point in discussions about work culture in the film industry. Her recent choices and candid observations have sparked widespread conversations about gender dynamics and professional expectations in Bollywood.
Deepika Padukone’s exit from the films Spirit and Kalki 2 drew significant attention, prompting debates over the work culture of the industry. Speculation suggested that her decision to stick to an eight-hour workday as a new mother influenced her stepping away from these projects. The discussion gained more traction when an old clip of Abhishek Bachchan talking about Akshay Kumar’s work hours resurfaced.
The clip was from an episode of The Kapil Sharma Show where Abhishek, Akshay and Riteish Deshmukh were promoting a movie of the Housefull franchise. Abhishek Bachchan mentioned how Akshay Kumar is always the most enthusiastic on set, yet strictly limits his work to eight hours a day. He explained that Akshay arrives early in the morning, starts shooting immediately and finishes within the designated time. Riteish added that the schedule is strictly timed, while Abhishek highlighted that even if scenes require changes in costumes or makeup, Akshay Kumar still completes work within those eight hours.
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This video resurfaced as Deepika Padukone recently spoke about the double standards in the industry, pointing out that male superstars often have fixed working hours, yet it rarely draws public attention. She stated that by simply being a woman, requesting reasonable working conditions might be perceived as being pushy, whereas male actors have long enjoyed structured workdays without controversy. Deepika emphasised that many male actors routinely work only Monday to Friday and take weekends off, a fact widely known but seldom reported.
She has also highlighted a bigger issue in Bollywood: despite being called an ‘industry’, it remains highly disorganized. Deepika Padukone argues that proper systems and structures are long overdue. She mentions that she is not alone in advocating for fair work conditions, noting that many women and new mothers are also beginning to follow eight-hour work schedules, yet this rarely becomes headline news.
In an interview, she insisted that her requests for better working conditions are not unreasonable and only someone familiar with the system would truly understand the challenges actors face. She acknowledged that everyone has their own working style and no one should feel obligated to work with someone who cannot accommodate their needs. Deepika Padukone’s comments underscore her role not just as a top actress but as a voice calling for professionalism, fairness and structure in Bollywood.
Well, Deepika Padukone certainly makes a point, what do you say?
