Kajol Backs Shorter Workdays for New Mothers Amid Deepika Padukone’s ‘Spirit’ Exit

At the trailer launch of her upcoming film Maa, Kajol supports the call for 8-hour work shifts for new mothers in the film industry, following Deepika Padukone’s departure from Spirit over similar demands.

During the trailer launch of her upcoming film Maa, actress Kajol voiced her support for the implementation of 8-hour work shifts for new mothers in the film industry. This stance comes in the wake of Deepika Padukone’s recent exit from director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit, reportedly due to her request for a 6-hour workday to accommodate her responsibilities as a new mother—a request that was not well-received by the director.

Kajol emphasized the importance of accommodating new mothers in the industry, stating that reduced working hours are a reasonable request. Her husband, actor Ajay Devgn, echoed this sentiment, noting that many conscientious filmmakers would understand and support such needs. He remarked, “It’s not that people are against it. Many understand the need for it. Most conscientious filmmakers wouldn’t mind at all.”

The controversy surrounding Padukone’s departure from Spirit has sparked broader discussions about gender-sensitive working conditions in Bollywood. Reports indicate that, in addition to her request for shorter work hours, Padukone also sought a significant remuneration of ₹20 crore, a profit-sharing agreement, and declined to perform her dialogues in Telugu. These demands were deemed “unreasonable” by the director, leading to her replacement by actress Triptii Dimri.

This incident has highlighted the challenges faced by women in the film industry, particularly new mothers striving to balance their professional and personal lives. Kajol’s support underscores the need for more accommodating work environments that recognize and respect the unique needs of working mothers.