Siddharth P. Malhotra backs Deepika Padukone’s work hour demand, cites Kajol, Rani Mukerji examples

Following reports that Deepika Padukone has allegedly pulled out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's forthcoming Telugu film, Spirit, Siddharth P. Malhotra has spoken out. The actor reportedly demanded an eight-hour workweek, which caused her to leave the Prabhas-starrer after she became a mother to daughter Dua Padukone Singh about nine months ago.

Siddharth P. Malhotra cites past examples of short working hours

The incident isn't the first time a prominent actor has imposed such limitations on working hours, according to Malhotra, who made his directorial debut with We Are Family (2010). He informed IANS, "We finished Hichki, the whole film, in 28 eight-hour shifts. Whether it was Rani (Mukerji), the kids, the cameramen or the spot boy, everyone finished in that time."

Hichki was Rani Mukerji's return to the big screen after giving birth, and it was produced by Yash Raj Films. The actor has confessed that his first day back on set after his partner gave birth to daughter Adira Chopra was a very emotional one. In a 2016 interview, she said, "For 14 months, I have been there in front of her face. So I kept asking myself, ‘Is it going to be worth it?'"

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Kajol’s eight-hour shifts set a precedent

Malhotra reflected on his time working side by side with Kajol on We Are Family and claimed that the eight-hour shift mentality was around long before Deepika became famous. He explained, "When I’d shot with Kajol in 2010, she used to do eight-hour shifts. She made it very clear she’d either come for 10 am to 6 pm or 7 am to 2 pm or for an eight-hour shift at night. Rani also did the same. Deepika isn’t demanding anything new."

"I didn’t work for 20 or 30 hours," Kajol told PTI, reiterating her position on work-life balance. She said that her mum, the veteran actor Tanuja, was quite supportive of her decision to set a strict schedule for her workweek.

Siddharth P. Malhotra on compatibility and respecting boundaries

It is reasonable for both the director and the performer to walk away if the demands of the project are incompatible, according to Malhotra. Even if it's only six hours a day, the filmmaker would work with an actor if he knew he could complete the film in that time frame and this applies to all actors equally. He questioned, "People are just gaining publicity in the name of Deepika Padukone. She’s asking for family time; what wrong is she demanding?"

He wrapped it by adding that he could request additional filming days or recast if a director like Vanga needed longer hours. Malhotra added, "If it doesn’t suit the director, then don’t work with her. If you need more time from your actor, ask for more days. If not, find someone else."

Triptii Dimri replaces Deepika Padukone in Spirit

Spirit stars Prabhas opposite Animal actor Triptii Dimri, who has replaced Deepika in the lead role, is producing the film with Bhushan Kumar's T-Series and is set to hit theatres in 2026.