Actor Amrita Puri has spoken in support of Deepika Padukone amid the ongoing discussion around working hours and contractual demands in the Hindi film industry.
The debate intensified after reports emerged regarding Deepika Padukone’s alleged request for an eight-hour work shift following motherhood, reportedly linked to her exit from Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
Reacting to the controversy, Amrita Puri argued that the issue had been “blown out of proportion” and questioned whether the same scrutiny would have existed had a male actor made a similar demand.
Speaking about the realities of the entertainment industry, Puri shared her own experiences of working long hours without compensation. She said extended schedules, including 16-hour shifts and overnight shoots, remain common in the industry despite concerns around health and work-life balance.
“There are times where I have done 16-hour shifts or all-nighters, and I have not got paid for it,” she said while highlighting the pressures faced by actors and crew members on film sets.
Puri also claimed that several commercially successful male actors already have fixed eight-hour work clauses included in their contracts, but such arrangements rarely become subjects of public debate.
“If it was a man, it wouldn’t be in the papers,” she said, adding that the controversy reflected a broader patriarchal mindset within the industry and society.
The actor further defended Deepika Padukone’s reported request by stressing that motherhood should not force women to step away from their careers or compromise their well-being.
According to Puri, there is nothing unreasonable about a new mother seeking supportive work conditions while continuing to remain professionally active.
The discussion has since expanded into a wider debate online around workplace culture in Bollywood, gender expectations, mental and physical health, and the need for more balanced working schedules within the film industry.
Deepika Padukone has not publicly commented in detail on the reports, but the conversation surrounding her alleged demand has sparked conversations among actors, filmmakers and audiences regarding evolving professional norms in Indian cinema.
Many social media users and industry observers have also pointed out that conversations around healthier work schedules and family-friendly workplaces are becoming increasingly common across global entertainment industries.
As the debate continues, Amrita Puri’s remarks have added another perspective to the ongoing conversation about equality, professionalism and working conditions in Bollywood.
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