Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has launched a fresh critique against what she describes as the normalized culture of excessive working hours in the film industry, particularly highlighting the challenges faced by new mothers returning to work. The actress, who has been consistently vocal about organized work schedules throughout 2025, emphasized that eight hours of work daily is sufficient and that society often mistakes burnout for professional dedication.
The Stand Against Normalized Overworking
In a recent interview with Harper's Bazaar, Deepika Padukone articulated her strong views on workplace reforms. "We've normalized overworking. We mistake burnout for commitment," she stated unequivocally. The actress stressed that eight hours of work per day is adequate for the human body and mind, adding that only healthy individuals can deliver their best performance.
She further explained the counterproductive nature of burnout, noting that "bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one." Her comments come as part of her ongoing campaign for standardized work hours that began earlier this year.
Leading by Example: Office Policies and Motherhood Perspectives
Deepika revealed that her own office practices what she preaches. "In my own office, we work eight hours a day, Monday to Friday. We have maternity and paternity policies. We should normalize bringing children to work," she shared, setting a precedent for other workplaces to follow.
The actress also reflected on how motherhood has transformed her perspective. "One hundred per cent. Every cliché is true," she admitted, expressing newfound respect for her mother and acknowledging that the reality of balancing work and motherhood often differs significantly from planned expectations.
Industry-Wide Implications and Support
Earlier this year, in a conversation with Brut India, Deepika had defended her demand for eight-hour workdays as not being "ridiculously unfair." She highlighted the challenging conditions on film sets and pointed out that if a top star like herself faces difficulties, the situation must be considerably worse for crew members and other workers in the industry.
In another significant revelation during her CNBC-TV18 interview, Deepika addressed the gender bias prevalent in Bollywood. She noted that while many male superstars have been working eight-hour days for years without attracting attention, her similar demands have made headlines, suggesting a double standard in how working hours are perceived for male and female actors.
The practical consequences of her stance became evident when she exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga's film Spirit, co-starring Prabhas, after her request for an eight-hour workday was denied. The controversy intensified when it was later announced that she wouldn't be returning as Sumathi for the next installment of Kalki 2898 AD.
Throughout this period, several prominent industry figures have publicly supported Deepika's call for standardized eight-hour shifts. The list of supporters includes Vikrant Massey, Kajol, Saif Ali Khan, Neha Dhupia, Mani Ratnam, Vinay Pathak, Pankaj Tripathi, Konkona Sen Sharma, and Kabir Khan, indicating a growing movement toward workplace reform in the Indian film industry.
