- By Swati Singh
- Wed, 13 May 2026 07:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
In an industry where the sun often rises and sets on the same film set, the gruelling 'shift' has long been a mark of distinction. The 18-hour workday has been a common practice in Bollywood. However, amid this so-called work culture, one star spoke for herself, deciding that the situation was untenable and the industry needs to effect major change.
This Bollywood star, who was an outsider, created history to speak on the 8-hour work shift in the industry and the debate she has sparked is significantly impacting Indian cinema. Can you guess who it is? If you guessed Deepika Padukone, you’ve hit the bullseye.
When Deepika Padukone spoke about 8-hour-shift
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, she highlighted the hypocrisy in the industry, noting that male actors frequently work 8-hour days, often from Monday to Friday, without it becoming a controversy.
Recommended For You
She took aim at the industry's deep-rooted "chalta hai" (anything goes) attitude, dismissing it as a byproduct of a disorganised and chaotic system. Calling for an end to this lack of structure, she stressed that a professional overhaul is no longer just an option, but an urgent necessity.
Deepika said, "While the industry is termed an industry, we have never really worked like one." "I have done this at many levels; this is not new to me. Even when it comes to pay, I have had to deal with whatever comes with it... I don't even know what to call it. But I am someone who has always fought my battles silently, and for some strange reason, sometimes they become public, which is not the way I know and not the way I've been brought up. To fight my battles silently and in a dignified way is the way I know."
The origin of the 8-hour shift conversation
It was after Deepika was dropped from two major movies: Kalki 2 and Spirit. Makers of Kalki 2898 AD announced the same on X, noting, "This is to officially announce that @deepikapadukone will not be a part of the upcoming sequel of #Kalki2898AD. After careful consideration, we have decided to part ways. Despite the long journey of making the first film, we were unable to find a partnership. And a film like @Kalki2898AD deserves that commitment and much more. We wish her the best with her future projects."
Deepika Padukone’s latest stance follows a controversial exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit in May, reportedly sparked by her demands for an 8-hour shift, profit-sharing and a refusal to perform in Telugu.
When Deepika Padukone launched an attack on Kalki and Spirit filmmakers
A day after Vyjayanthi Movies' announcement, Deepika Padukone shared an Instagram post, announcing a new movie with Shah Rukh Khan. She noted, "The very first lesson he taught me almost 18 years ago while filming Om Shanti Om was that the experience of making a movie, and the people you make it with, matter far more than its success. I couldn't agree more and have applied that learning to every decision I've made since. And that's probably why we're back making our 6th movie together?"