Actor Deepika Padukone's scheduling request has unpredictably sparked a heated discussion about work-life balance in the movie business.
The widely publicised statement about Deepika's request for an 8-hour workday while working on Spirit, her upcoming film with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, is at the centre of this discussion.
Although there have been differing views, Tarun Mansukhani, the director of Housefull 5, recently addressed the issue in an exclusive interview with Moneycontrol, providing much-needed clarification.
Tarun, while responding to a question about whether a new mother asking for an 8-hour shift should be criticised, stated, “I’ve already gotten very panned for answering this question, because as usual, my whole quote was not used.”
He clarified that he had only emphasised the significance of open communication and preparation, not that he had ever rejected the idea.
He shared that although he is not a parent, as a pet parent, he also values personal time. “I would love to get time to spend with my dog as well,” he said, adding that some had unfairly misconstrued this as equating pets with children.
However, his main point was about practicality in filmmaking. “Of course, you can have an eight-hour shift as long as I know it from the time the contract is made,” he explained.
While citing an example, he mentioned, "So, for example, if I know that X actor wants eight hours and the other actor is available to me for 12 hours, I know how to plan my day and say, okay, these are the eight hours in which I need this actor. So therefore, the shots in which he or she is not there are not there in."
For him, it's a matter of logistics and planning — knowing the actor’s availability in advance allows the director and producer to optimise schedules, locations, and costs. “It’s a give and take of filmmaking,” he added.
Tarun also gave a hypothetical example to underscore his flexibility: “If I wanted to work with Rajini sir and Rajini sir said I have only four hours… I would find a way to make it happen.”
He emphasised that requesting a work-life balance shouldn't be exclusive to new mothers. “That extends to anybody and everybody who wants an eight-hour shift,” he said. Ultimately, the director reserves the right to decide whether it’s feasible for the film. “If I can’t do it, I’ll say it upfront,” he added.
Calling the backlash an overreaction, Tarun said, “Making this into a full-blown controversy is not something that should have been… It’s not a controversy in any form. It’s two people who had a conversation about timing.”
The viral spread of the conversation across social media, according to him, distorted what was essentially a practical discussion. “One person chose to stay quiet and the other chose to speak up,” he said, referring to the public nature of the debate.
At its core, the issue appears to be a conversation about evolving work norms in an industry known for its grueling schedules. With increasing dialogue around mental health, parenting, and fairness at work, perhaps it’s time Bollywood also normalises structured shifts — not as an exception, but a viable, respectable choice.
Tarun Mansukhani is currently enjoying the success of Housefull 5.
(Reported by Sarika Sharma)
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