What started as a quiet disagreement has turned into a loud wake-up call for the industry. Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from a film with Sandeep Reddy Vanga over her demand for an 8-hour workday is now becoming a bigger conversation about work-life balance, especially for new moms trying to return to work in showbiz.
Actress Rubina Dilaik, now a mother of twins, was quick to back Deepika’s stand. She opened up about her early years in television, where she worked 17-hour shifts. Rubina admitted that those long hours were exhausting, often leaving her physically and emotionally drained. Now that she’s a mom, she says her priorities have changed and time has become more precious than ever.
Rubina believes asking for a manageable work schedule doesn’t mean an actor is less serious about their craft. “It’s about respecting time and health,” she said, adding that Deepika’s demand is perfectly fair and needed. “I’m not saying this because I’m an actor. If I become a producer, I shall ensure that my people work within eight hours. I’ll create a system wherein we do meaningful and good work within eight hours, and it’s a win-win thing for everyone.
Joining her in support is actress Yuvika Chaudhary, who also recently became a mother. Yuvika said the film industry needs to stop being so “ruthless” with its work expectations. She backed Deepika’s demand and reminded people that actors aren’t robots. “We’re human beings. We need rest, too,” she said. Yuvika said, It’s not easy being a mother, and being a mother willing to work describes how much she loves what she does. She’s been in the industry for such a long time and thus deserves the respect. “And I’m sure it’s not forever. It’s a give and take. When you have done a certain amount of work, I think you should get that respect,” Yuvika concluded.
Their support is striking a chord with many, especially women who’ve faced the challenge of returning to work after giving birth. For years, actors have silently accepted overwork as the norm, but Deepika’s move is encouraging others to speak up. Deepika, being her iconic and unstoppable self, continued working and promoting her film even during pregnancy, so the idea that she’d suddenly want to take a break now simply doesn’t hold up.
This is no longer just about one film or one actress. It’s about changing an industry mindset that often pushes people to their limits. And the voices speaking up now are not demanding special treatment, they’re asking for fairness, dignity, and respect.
In a world where work is often glorified at the cost of well-being, Deepika, Rubina, and Yuvika are reminding everyone that success shouldn’t come at the price of health, especially for new moms balancing career and motherhood. The glitz may be loud, but it’s their call for balance that’s echoing the loudest now.
