Deepika Padukone Breaks Silence on Exiting Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD Sequel: “I’m Only Asking for What Men Already Have”
In a bold revelation, Deepika Padukone opens up about demanding an 8-hour workday, equal pay, and a more structured Bollywood work culture — while calling out gender bias in the industry.
Deepika Padukone has finally addressed the controversies surrounding her decision to step away from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD sequel. In a candid interview with CNBC-TV18, the actress revealed that her choice was rooted in her demand for fair working hours and parity in pay — something male stars have long enjoyed without scrutiny.
The Padmaavat star explained, “By virtue of being a woman, if that’s coming across as being pushy or whatever, so be it. But it’s no secret that a lot of male superstars in the Indian film industry have been working for 8 hours for years, and it has never made headlines.” She went on to say that many of her male contemporaries follow a fixed schedule, working Monday to Friday and taking weekends off, yet such demands are never questioned when made by them.
Deepika emphasized that the Indian film industry has functioned in a largely disorganized way for too long and needs to bring structure and professionalism into daily operations. “We are a very disorganised industry, and I think it’s time we brought in some system and work culture,” she said.
Addressing her reputation for quietly handling controversies, Deepika stated, “I’ve always fought my battles silently and in a dignified way. Whether it’s about pay or professionalism, I’ve faced many such challenges. Sometimes they become public, but that’s never been my intent. I prefer doing things the right way, not the loud way.”
Her remarks come after reports that creative and scheduling differences led to her exit from Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD’s next chapter, following disagreements over her 8-hour shift request and compensation terms. Deepika’s stance has sparked widespread conversation about gender equity and labor ethics in Bollywood.
While some filmmakers, like Hansal Mehta, supported her call for humane working conditions, others, including Rohan Sippy, argued that filmmaking’s nature makes strict time limits difficult. Regardless, Deepika’s comments have reignited an important debate about the need for balance, respect, and equality in an industry often accused of glamorizing overwork.
Currently, Deepika is gearing up for her next big collaboration — King alongside Shah Rukh Khan — and continues to stand by her principle of setting boundaries while maintaining dignity. Her message is clear: professionalism and fairness shouldn’t depend on gender.
