Konkona Sen Sharma has publicly voiced her support for Deepika Padukone amidst the ongoing debate surrounding the implementation of eight-hour work shifts in the Bollywood film industry. This comes after Deepika Padukone's departure from projects like Sandeep Reddy Vanga's "Spirit" and Nag Ashwin's "Kalki 2898 AD," reportedly due to her insistence on adhering to an eight-hour workday.
Konkona Sen Sharma has lauded Deepika Padukone as "progressive" for raising concerns about fair working conditions for women and technicians in the industry. In a recent interview, Konkona emphasized the necessity of regulated working hours, stating, "I do think that ideally, there should be humane working hours across the industry. I mean, we are not neurosurgeons dealing with life-and-death situations". She further added that while financial considerations are important for project stakeholders, the well-being of actors should also be prioritized.
Konkona also highlighted the disparity in treatment between male and female actors, remarking, "It shouldn't be like male actors are coming late and are working late, and women are leaving their children and working for long hours. It should be equal". She pointed out that many male actors have enjoyed eight-hour shifts for years without facing similar scrutiny.
Deepika Padukone's exit from "Spirit" led to Triptii Dimri being cast in her place. Following this, Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted a cryptic message on social media, seemingly implying that Deepika had rejected the film's script and was engaging in "dirty PR games". Similarly, Vyjayanthi Movies, the producers of "Kalki 2898 AD," cited a need for "commitment" when announcing their separation from Deepika for the sequel, a statement that many interpreted as a jab at her professionalism.
Deepika Padukone has defended her stance, asserting that demanding an eight-hour workday is not "ridiculously unfair". She highlighted the often-challenging working conditions on film sets, even for top stars like herself, and emphasized that these conditions are significantly worse for the crew. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Deepika addressed the controversy, pointing out the double standard in the industry, "By virtue of being a woman, if that's coming across as being pushy or whatever, then so be it... It is very commonly publicly known that a lot of male actors have been working for eight hours a day for years".
Konkona Sen Sharma echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that actors require regular breaks and a weekly day off. She noted that while exceptions are sometimes made for 12-hour shifts that extend to 14-15 hours, there should be more regulated working hours to promote productivity and well-being. Deepika has also stressed the need for a more structured and professional work culture in Bollywood, which she described as "very disorganized".
