‘She has earned it’: Kangana Ranaut backs Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift demand

Kangana Backs Deepika

In a podcast with ANI, Kangana said Deepika’s current position in the industry and her role as a mother justify her demand for shorter working hours.

“I don’t think there should be an issue created out of this because if you see where she is coming from, she has earned that place.

“She has a daughter, she’s a mother now, and the topmost actress. If today she is keen to work for eight hours, she has earned it,” Kangana said.

Recalls Early Career Grind

Kangana also reflected on their early days in the industry, recalling how both actors were once eager to work long hours to establish themselves.

“Deepika and I… there was a time when we wouldn’t settle for anything less than 12-14 hours because we were ferocious. We wanted to be successful,” she said.

Controversy Around Work Hours

Deepika has been at the centre of a debate over her reported eight-hour shift demand, which sparked controversy after her exit from Spirit.

Director Sandeep Reddy Vanga replaced her with Triptii Dimri.

She also made headlines for exiting the sequel of Kalki 2898 AD, with production house Vyjayanthi Movies posting a cryptic remark on “commitment”.

Deepika Calls Industry ‘Brutal’

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Deepika described the Indian film industry’s work culture as “brutal” and stressed the need for change.

“If by virtue of being a woman, if that’s coming across as being pushy, so be it… male superstars have been working eight hours for years and it’s never made headlines,” she said.

She added that the industry remains largely unorganised and needs systemic reform, noting that several new mothers in the industry have also adopted eight-hour workdays without attracting similar attention.