Kangana Ranaut supports 'top-most actress' Deepika Padukone's 8-hour work demand
Kangana Ranaut weighed in on the debate sparked by Deepika Padukone's reported stance on an eight-hour workday, backing her right to set boundaries at this stage in her career.
Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has lent her support to Deepika Padukone amidst the ongoing debate over the eight-hour workday, referring to her as the "top-most actress" in the industry. The controversy began when Padukone decided to step away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD in 2025, reportedly citing concerns over working conditions.
Ranaut, in a recent podcast with ANI, expressed her understanding of Padukone's stance, emphasising that the Padmaavat actor has earned the right to dictate her working hours, particularly now as a new mother. "I don't think there should be an issue created out of this because if you see where she (Deepika Padukone) is coming from, she has earned that place. She has a daughter, she's a mother now, and the top-most actress. If today she is keen to work for eight hours, she has earned it," Ranaut said.
Kangana says Deepika is way past the "replaceable" phase
Reflecting on their past conversations, Ranaut recalled discussing work hours with Padukone during a project with director Imtiaz Ali. "Deepika and I, when we were together, she said that they were working on Imtiaz's film or something. She said, 'We have a 12-hour shift.' In response, I said that I work for only 10 hours. She's like 'That's amazing'. So there was a time when we wouldn't settle for anything less than 12-14 hours because we were ferocious," she added.
The Thalaivii actor further highlighted the challenges faced by women in balancing their careers and family life, arguing that asking them to work longer hours is unreasonable. She explained, "When you're new, you're coming up, and you are replaceable. Your place is different. She (Deepika Padukone), being where she is, she's a mother. She's got a family to look after. She's also earned that place where people are going to say, 'Wait a minute, I want her. And it's okay if she comes for eight hours because we'll work around her time'."
Deepika Padukone on her 8-hour shift demand
Deepika Padukone's decision to exit Spirit and the Kalki 2898 AD sequel drew significant attention, with the latter's producers citing a need for a higher level of "commitment." In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Padukone addressed the issue, pointing out the gender bias in the reaction to her request.
"By virtue of being a woman, if that's coming across as pushy or whatever, then so be it. But it is no secret that many superstars, male superstars, in the Indian film industry, have been working for 8 hours for years, and it's never made headlines!" she said.
Padukone, meanwhile, is set to reunite with Shah Rukh Khan in Siddharth Anand's upcoming film King. She is also slated to appear alongside Allu Arjun in Raaka.
Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has lent her support to Deepika Padukone amidst the ongoing debate over the eight-hour workday, referring to her as the "top-most actress" in the industry. The controversy began when Padukone decided to step away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD in 2025, reportedly citing concerns over working conditions.
Ranaut, in a recent podcast with ANI, expressed her understanding of Padukone's stance, emphasising that the Padmaavat actor has earned the right to dictate her working hours, particularly now as a new mother. "I don't think there should be an issue created out of this because if you see where she (Deepika Padukone) is coming from, she has earned that place. She has a daughter, she's a mother now, and the top-most actress. If today she is keen to work for eight hours, she has earned it," Ranaut said.
Kangana says Deepika is way past the "replaceable" phase
Reflecting on their past conversations, Ranaut recalled discussing work hours with Padukone during a project with director Imtiaz Ali. "Deepika and I, when we were together, she said that they were working on Imtiaz's film or something. She said, 'We have a 12-hour shift.' In response, I said that I work for only 10 hours. She's like 'That's amazing'. So there was a time when we wouldn't settle for anything less than 12-14 hours because we were ferocious," she added.
The Thalaivii actor further highlighted the challenges faced by women in balancing their careers and family life, arguing that asking them to work longer hours is unreasonable. She explained, "When you're new, you're coming up, and you are replaceable. Your place is different. She (Deepika Padukone), being where she is, she's a mother. She's got a family to look after. She's also earned that place where people are going to say, 'Wait a minute, I want her. And it's okay if she comes for eight hours because we'll work around her time'."
Deepika Padukone on her 8-hour shift demand
Deepika Padukone's decision to exit Spirit and the Kalki 2898 AD sequel drew significant attention, with the latter's producers citing a need for a higher level of "commitment." In an interview with Harper's Bazaar, Padukone addressed the issue, pointing out the gender bias in the reaction to her request.
"By virtue of being a woman, if that's coming across as pushy or whatever, then so be it. But it is no secret that many superstars, male superstars, in the Indian film industry, have been working for 8 hours for years, and it's never made headlines!" she said.
Padukone, meanwhile, is set to reunite with Shah Rukh Khan in Siddharth Anand's upcoming film King. She is also slated to appear alongside Allu Arjun in Raaka.
