Deepika Padukone’s decision to walk out of Spirit, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film starring Prabhas, has triggered a broader conversation in the Hindi film industry around work-life balance, particularly for working mothers. According to reports, the actor stepped away from the project after a disagreement over professional terms — most notably, her request for an eight-hour workday.
The development has put a spotlight on the demanding schedules in the film industry, an issue Deepika has long been vocal about. Even before embracing motherhood, the actor had consistently advocated for streamlining working hours and ensuring fair treatment of film crews.
In a past interview with Film Companion, Deepika revealed that her push for balance stemmed from her experience with depression, which taught her the importance of setting boundaries. “That’s also where I draw the line in terms of my schedule,” she said. “The only other time I felt like that was when I was experiencing depression… Many years ago, I realized the importance of finding a work-life balance. I don’t intend to burnout, I’m not going anywhere.”
Deepika also highlighted how, in India, prioritizing personal time is often misinterpreted as a lack of dedication. “Somehow, in our country… wanting time for yourself carries a connotation of being unprofessional… I disagree. You can be all of those things and still make time for yourself.”
As a producer herself, Deepika has often voiced support for better treatment of crew members. She had earlier stated that one of her key goals is to limit excessively long workdays for the entire set, adding, “People need to be given enough downtime and rest so that they come back with better energy.”
She also stressed the need for fair compensation. “The crew comes in much earlier and leaves much later… Overtime may happen but we need to find a mechanism where they’re at least compensated on an hourly basis.”
Following her exit from Spirit, actor Triptii Dimri has been roped in to play the female lead alongside Prabhas. While the project moves forward, Deepika Padukone’s stand is resonating across the industry — not just as a moment of personal assertion, but as a call to rethink long-held work norms in Indian cinema.