'If Aamir, Akshay work on 8-hr shift, why is it denied to her?': Kabir Khan backs Deepika Padukone over Spirit row

Deepika, who embraced motherhood last year, walked out of the project after her demands for an eight-hour shift and Rs. 25 crore remuneration were not accepted.

Reacting to the row, Kabir has backed Deepika's stance questioning why she would be denied what is offered to other superstars like Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar.

On remuneration demand too, Kabir called Deepika a crowd puller and felt she should be paid justifiably.

The filmmaker, who felt Deepika has a "fair point", said, "Aamir Khan works on an 8-hour shift. Akshay Kumar too. So, I don’t see why Deepika should be denied the same. If a filmmaker doesn’t agree, they should have a valid reason. It’s that simple."

"Whoever brings in the viewers, whether it’s an actor, director, man or woman… they deserve to be paid what they’re worth. Deepika consistently pulls crowds, so she rightly commands the fee she does," Kabir, who directed Deepika in 83, added.

Earlier, filmmaker Mani Ratnam called Deepika's demands as "rightful".

"I think it is a rightful demand," Ratnam told News 18.

"I'm glad she’s in a position to ask for it. I think as a filmmaker, you will take that into consideration when you cast. It is not an unreasonable thing to ask, but an absolute necessity. I think that should be the priority. You have to acknowledge that, understand it and work around it," he added.

Senior Bollywood actor Ajay Devgn had said "most of the honest filmmakers" won't have problem with new mothers' demand to work not beyond eight hours a day.

Ajay had said, "It's not that it is not going down well with people. A lot of people understand. Most of the honest filmmakers I would say will not have a problem with it.

"Apart from new moms working for eight hours, usually people have started working eight-nine hours in a shift. So I think it varies from person to person and most of the industry does understand this."

After Deepika opted out of Spirit, Vanga roped in new Bollywood sensation Triptii Dimri for a pie of the 'Padmaavat' actress' remuneration.

Meanwhile, Deepika last week surprised her fans by announcing her maiden collaboration with Telugu superstar Allu Arjun and a reunion with filmmaker Atlee.

The 39-year-old has joined the starcast of AA22xA6. The actress had earlier worked with Atlee in Shah Rukh Khan starrer Jawan.