LATEST IN NEWS
Kajol and Ajay Devgn Share Their Opinion On 8 Hour Work Shifts in Film Industry
Updated on: 30 May, 2025 01:58 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Kajol, Deepika Padukone, and Ajay Devgn
The ever-evolving landscape of the entertainment industry recently saw a significant debate ignited around working hours, particularly for mothers. This discussion gained considerable traction following reports of Deepika Padukone`s alleged exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film, Spirit. At the recent trailer launch of their film Maa, actor couple Kajol and Ajay Devgn were asked to weigh in on the demand for reduced 8-hour work shifts, especially for working mothers.
The controversy surrounding Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga began after reports surfaced that Deepika opted out of Prabhas-starrer Spirit due to remuneration issues and her conditions regarding work hours in light of her motherhood journey. While Triptii Dimri was later officially announced as the female lead, Vanga took to his X handle with a cryptic post, seemingly directed at Deepika.
He wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are…Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it.”
Also Read: Deepika Padukone and Megastar Chiranjeevi: Is a Colossal Collaboration Brewing?
Amidst this industry debate, Kajol`s upcoming film, Maa, delves into the powerful theme of motherhood. The movie also stars Ronit Roy and Indraneil Sen Gupta. Produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Ajay Devgn, and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios and Devgn Films, Maa is set for a pan-India release on June 27 in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. The conversation around flexible work hours for mothers certainly adds a timely layer to the anticipation for this film that celebrates a mother`s journey.
Industry`s Take on Work-Life Balance
When questioned if an 8-hour workday for a mother is appropriate, Kajol promptly responded, “Well, I love the fact that you can work less and…” Ajay Devgn, interjecting, added a broader perspective. “It is not like it’s not going well with the people. Many are understanding it now. Most of the industry, I would say, will not have a problem with this. And apart from this being a mother and working for 8 hours, you should be able to start working for 8 to 9 hours shift. So I think it’s person-to-person, but most of the industry does understand nowadays.” He further elaborated, "Most of the honest filmmakers will not have a problem with this."The controversy surrounding Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga began after reports surfaced that Deepika opted out of Prabhas-starrer Spirit due to remuneration issues and her conditions regarding work hours in light of her motherhood journey. While Triptii Dimri was later officially announced as the female lead, Vanga took to his X handle with a cryptic post, seemingly directed at Deepika.
He wrote, “When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You’ve ‘DISCLOSED’ the person that you are…Putting down a Younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn’t get it. You won’t get it. You will never get it.”
Also Read: Deepika Padukone and Megastar Chiranjeevi: Is a Colossal Collaboration Brewing?
Deepika Padukone`s Stance on Work-Life Balance
Deepika Padukone has previously spoken about the importance of work-life balance, stating, “That’s also where I draw the line in terms of my schedule. That’s the only place where I could start feeling that I’m not enjoying what I’m doing.” She emphasised, “Many years ago, I realised the importance of finding a work-life balance. I don’t intend to burn out; I’m not going anywhere.” She also pointed out the societal perception that taking leaves or time for oneself is unprofessional, a notion she strongly disagrees with.Amidst this industry debate, Kajol`s upcoming film, Maa, delves into the powerful theme of motherhood. The movie also stars Ronit Roy and Indraneil Sen Gupta. Produced by Kumar Mangat Pathak, Ajay Devgn, and Jyoti Deshpande under Jio Studios and Devgn Films, Maa is set for a pan-India release on June 27 in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bengali. The conversation around flexible work hours for mothers certainly adds a timely layer to the anticipation for this film that celebrates a mother`s journey.
ADVERTISEMENT
Where do you prefer watching movies?
ADVERTISEMENT
