A major controversy surrounding work-life balance, particularly for new mothers like Deepika Padukone, has broken out in the Hindi film industry following her departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film Spirit over working hours.
She had asked for an eight-hour workday and some other professional terms.
Although Deepika's strong stance on work-life balance garnered headlines, the actress had already brought the subject to light earlier. Even before she became a mother, she had voiced the same worry.
The necessity to reduce working hours for all members of the film team, not only actors, was something that Deepika had mentioned in an earlier interview.
Deepika Padukone previously discussed the need of a healthy work-life balance in an interview with Film Companion, during which she disclosed that her battle with depression had taught her the worth of this concept.
"That’s also where I draw the line in terms of my schedule. That’s the only place where I could start feeling that I’m not enjoying what I’m doing. The only other time I felt like that was when I was experiencing depression, but that’s very different because you have no control over your thoughts and feelings. Many years ago, I realised the importance of finding a work-life balance. I don’t intend to burnout, I’m not going anywhere," she had said back then.
As she explained, "Somehow, in our country, including the corporate world, taking leaves or wanting time for yourself carries a connotation of being unprofessional, not hardworking or driven enough. And I disagree. You can be all of those things and still make time for yourself. How are you going to replenish and put energy back into your work if you don’t?”
During her course of the interview, Deepika Padukone also pushed for staff workers to have established work hours.
As for her goals as a producer, she mentioned "streamlining the hours that we work, especially for the crew" when asked about potential improvements.
“Streamlining the hours that we work, especially for the crew. There is this sense that if you make people work extra and continuously, you get it done faster. My thinking is the exact opposite - people need to be given enough downtime and rest so that they come back with better energy. That’ll help you work faster and better the quality of your work too," she said.
Following Deepika Padukone's exit from Spirit, Triptii Dimri and Prabhas were cast as the film's leads.
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