Actors Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ananya Panday have expressed their backing for Deepika Padukone’s call for more organized working hours in the film industry. The discussion regarding the possibility of an eight-hour workday has gained significant traction recently, with numerous industry figures weighing in on the subject. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter India, Kareena addressed the issue by underscoring the necessity of dialogue and proper planning between actors and producers.

Kareena shared her own experience while filming “The Buckingham Murders,” stating that she communicated her need to return to her children during the shooting in London. Her husband, Saif Ali Khan, was responsible for their kids in her absence. She mentioned that actors must confirm their availability and requirements before a project commences, stating, “If you are married and have children, and as a woman, if you do not want to give that time, you should be able to say that this is what I want. I can work this number of hours. I think it’s completely fine to say that way before a film starts.”

Flexibility and Understanding in Work Hours

Kareena emphasized the importance of honesty regarding personal commitments when entering a project. She acknowledged that certain days might not go as planned, necessitating flexibility in scheduling. She noted that both parents cannot be away from their children, urging that having partners who comprehend these commitments is crucial. The actress highlighted that, at times, small sacrifices or turning down a film may be required to maintain a work-life balance.

Ananya Panday Shares Personal Insights

Ananya Panday, supporting Deepika’s position, reflected on her experiences collaborating with her. “I have worked with Deepika, and before she became a mother, there was no such thing like that. She was working, coming for workshops, no complaints and no asking for anything. Now she’s a mother, and this is what she needs to be present with her child in the first two years of her child’s growth,” Ananya explained. She expressed the importance of having conversations with producers to establish a suitable balance between work and personal life.

Kalyani Priyadarshan Comments on Regional Work Shifts

Actress Kalyani Priyadarshan provided her perspective on the issue, noting that in the Malayalam film industry, the previously standard 16-hour work shift has now been reduced to 12 hours. She contended that film production cannot realistically be confined to six hours, given the various tasks that must be accomplished within a single day.

Origin of the Eight-Hour Workday Demand

The demand for structured working hours resurfaced notably after Deepika Padukone exited several high-profile projects, sparking discussions on actor rights in the industry. In May 2025, reports indicated that her departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prabhas’s film “Spirit” was due to her request for a share in profits alongside the eight-hour work shift, a view not welcomed by the director. Subsequently, she was replaced by Triptii Dimri.

Later, in 2025, similar reports suggested that her absence from the sequel of “Kalki 2898 AD” was tied to the same issues regarding work hours. These incidents have ignited an ongoing debate about whether fixed working hours should be established in the film industry, bringing attention to the challenges faced by actors regarding work-life balance.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share