The debate around working hours in Bollywood continues to grow after actress Amrita Puri backed Deepika Padukone over her reported demand for an 8-hour work shift.
Amrita said the conversation reflects larger issues within the film industry, including exhausting schedules, unpaid overtime, and unequal expectations for women.
Speaking about conditions on film sets, Amrita Puri recalled working extremely long schedules during her career.
She said she had often worked 16-hour shifts and overnight shoots without additional compensation, calling the practice problematic.
“There are times where I have done 16-hour shifts or all-nighters, and I have not got paid for it, which is problematic,” she said.
According to Amrita, the issue goes beyond one actor’s demand and highlights the need for healthier work structures across Bollywood.
Deepika being ‘unfairly criticised,’ Says Amrita
Amrita Puri also defended Deepika Padukone against criticism surrounding the reported request for fixed working hours.
She argued that several male stars already include similar clauses in their contracts, but such arrangements rarely attract public debate.
“I know of a male actor who is extremely successful commercially, who has had that 8-hour clause in their contract for years. Nobody talks about it. It is a patriarchal system that has blown this out of proportion,” she said.
Her comments added a gender perspective to the ongoing discussion about workplace norms in the entertainment industry.
The issue gained wider attention after reports claimed that Deepika Padukone stepped away from a film directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga over disagreements related to working conditions.
Reports suggested the actor requested an 8-hour shift following motherhood, sparking mixed reactions online and within the industry.
Supporters argued that the demand reflected changing priorities around work-life balance, while critics questioned whether such conditions were practical for film production schedules.
Kangana Ranaut also weighs In
Earlier, Kangana Ranaut also spoke about the controversy and defended Deepika’s position.
“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.
The Tanu Weds Manu actor added that top stars often reach a stage in their careers where they can negotiate work conditions according to personal priorities.
Kangana also recalled a past conversation with Deepika regarding work schedules, saying the actor had once told her she was working 12-hour shifts while Kangana preferred limiting workdays to 10 hours.
The ongoing discussion has once again brought attention to working conditions in Bollywood, particularly around long shooting hours and expectations from actors.
Industry observers say the debate also reflects broader conversations about gender roles, motherhood, and professional flexibility in high-pressure creative industries.
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