In a revealing interview with Harper's Bazaar, Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone has declared a significant shift in her career priorities, stating that box office milestones no longer influence her professional decisions.
From Box Office Glory to Creative Purpose
The actress, who recently exited two major projects opposite Baahubali star Prabhas, made it clear that even massive ₹500-crore spectacles fail to impress her at this stage of her career. "At this stage, it's not about that anymore," Deepika asserted. "It's not about the ₹100-crore films, or even the ₹500-₹600 crore ones."
Instead of chasing commercial success, the actress explained she's now more invested in "empowering other talent" through her production company KA Productions, which previously backed films like Chhapaak and 83.
Choosing Honesty Over Financial Scale
Deepika shared her refined approach to project selection, emphasizing that financial considerations no longer drive her choices. "Anything that doesn't feel true to me doesn't cut it," she revealed. "Sometimes people offer a lot of money and think that's enough, but it isn't. And the reverse is also true—some things may not be commercially big, but I believe in the people or the message, and I'll stand by it."
The actress acknowledged her evolving perspective, admitting she wasn't always this clear about her career direction. "Was I always this clear? Maybe not. But I've reached that clarity now," she reflected, adding that while she sometimes questions past decisions, her current choices feel genuinely honest.
Challenging Bollywood's Burnout Culture
One of India's highest-paid actresses also used the platform to critique the industry's unhealthy work culture and the normalization of excessive working hours. "We have normalized overworking. We mistake burnout for commitment," Deepika stated firmly.
She advocated for reasonable work schedules, emphasizing that "eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind." The actress stressed that "only when you're healthy can you give your best" and warned that "bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one."
Her strong stance on work-life balance reportedly played a significant role in her decisions to exit Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit and Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD, with industry sources indicating that equal pay and eight-hour shifts were key factors in her departure from these projects.
Despite stepping away from these high-profile ventures, Deepika continues to pursue meaningful collaborations, currently working with Shah Rukh Khan on his upcoming film King, marking another chapter in their successful professional partnership.
Through her evolving career choices and vocal advocacy, Deepika Padukone is redefining success in Bollywood, prioritizing creative fulfillment, talent development, and healthy work practices over traditional commercial metrics.
