Adivi Sesh reacts to Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift row with Sandeep Reddy Vanga: “Yeh 9 to 5 ka kaam nahi hai”

Adivi Sesh reacts to Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift row with Sandeep Reddy Vanga: “Yeh 9 to 5 ka kaam nahi hai”

The debate around Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit isn’t cooling down anytime soon. From an alleged 8-hour work demand to a hefty Rs 20 crore fee and profit share, the chatter hasn’t stopped. Now, Adivi Sesh has stepped in with a perspective, saying “Yeh 9 to 5 ka kaam nahi hai”

Speaking to Pinkvilla, the Goodachari star admitted he didn’t know every detail but said, "I heard a little bit about it but I don't know the details. I am not being politically correct. I don't know what happened. Unke situation pe comment karna ethically galat hai (It is ethically wrong to comment on their situation)." Still, he shared his take. "Academically speaking, what is acceptable for an actor or an actress and a director is what is agreed upon between them." Sesh explained.

The actor recalled his own experience working with Vennela Kishore, whom he called “the Johnny Lever of South India.” Kishore could only give three hours a week. “"I have worked in situations where I was working with a busy character artist who could only come for 3 hours at a time for the whole week.” Sesh said, underlining that filmmaking rarely fits into rigid schedules.

“Yeh 9 to 5 ka kaam nahi hai,” Sesh stressed saying, "What is agreed upon between a filmmaker and his actors is the only thing that matters. There is no rule per say. Kyuki film 12 ghante banate hai, 18 ghante banate, 6 ghante banate, marzi. Oversimplify kar rahe hai agar bol rahe hai ki 8 ghante, 6 ghante. Yeh 9 to 5 ka kaam nahi hai (Because film is made for 12 hours, 8 hours, 6 hours, it is their wish. It is being oversimplified if you are saying that work needs to be 8-6 hours. This is not 9 to 5 work)."

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Sesh acknowledged Deepika’s demands reportedly stemmed from her role as a mother but maintained that practicalities—like budget and schedule extensions—must also be considered. "Practically, it will not work if they have to shoot. If 20 more days get added to the schedule and the budget is not there, how do they accommodate it? I think whatever it should be, it should be agreed upon beforehand. Motherhood or otherwise." he added.

On the work front, Sesh is busy with Goodachari 2, alongside Emraan Hashmi and Banita Sandhu. The espionage thriller, backed by People Media Factory and Abhishek Agarwal Arts, is eyeing a 2026 release.