Vidya Balan supports Deepika Padukone amidst work balance debate, says "I think that's fair..."

Vidya Balan on Deepika Padukone 8 hour work shift

As conversations around work-life balance and inclusive workplace policies gain momentum in India, the film industry has become the latest battleground for the debate over flexible working hours for women—particularly new mothers.

Actor Vidya Balan is the latest to lend her voice to the conversation, showing solidarity with Deepika Padukone's stand on the need for an empathetic and accommodating work culture in Bollywood.

The debate was reignited after Deepika Padukone reportedly stepped away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit, citing concerns over the lack of flexibility in working hours.

Her decision sparked both criticism and support across the industry, with many lauding her for prioritising personal wellbeing and advocating for systemic change.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Vidya Balan spoke candidly about the need for flexibility for working mothers in cinema. “There is conversation about how mothers need to have an option to work for fewer hours, flexible hours, right? And I think that's fair,” she said, echoing Deepika’s earlier sentiments.

Recognising the wider shifts occurring across professional industries globally, Vidya noted that more organisations are implementing supportive structures for mothers returning to work. “Every industry is adopting those practices so that we don't lose out on new mothers, or women in the early years of them having children, so I think it's very important that we do have flexible working hours for women.”

Vidya, who has no children herself, also acknowledged the privilege that allows her to commit to longer workdays. “With the kind of films that I do, we can't afford to shoot only for eight hours. I am not a mother, so I have all the time in the world to be doing a 12-hour shift.”

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Director Anurag Basu had also previously defended Deepika’s stance. In an interview with Firstpost, he stated, “I also don’t like long-hour shifts at work... So, I absolutely agree with what Deepika Padukone had to say.”

Following Deepika’s exit, actor Triptii Dimri has been cast as the female lead in Spirit. However, the discussion around fairer working conditions for women, especially mothers, is far from over—and now, it has even more powerful voices behind it.