Deepika Padukone has been in the news for a few months now amid Sandeep Reddy Vanga`s Spirit controversy, and most recently her exit from Kalki 2898 AD. The actress has now finally addressed the ongoing discussions surrounding the controversies allegedly due to her demanding fixed 8-hour shifts. Known for her professionalism and dedication, Deepika spoke out against the parity that often exists in the industry when it comes to male and female actors.
Deepika Padukone addresses her 8-hour work shift demand
On the occasion of World Mental Health Day, Deepika Padukone visited Madhya Pradesh to celebrate a special milestone, 10 years of her foundation, Live Love Laugh. During a conversation with CNN TV18, Deepika was asked about the chatter surrounding her. Talking about the Indian film industry and making a change, she said, “I have been very vocal about this, that slowly but surely I am focused on bringing about change in the workplace as far as the Indian film industry is concerned because it`s brutal. And I think we have a tendency to work in a way that is `chalta hai`. If a system has been working well, I don`t know according to whom, but if it`s been working well for this long, then why shake the apple cart? And I`ve never really been that person. I`m always looking at how we can better something. How can we do better?”
When asked about the public chatter around her projects, she replied, “By virtue of being a woman, if that`s coming across as being pushy or whatever, then so be it. But it is no secret that a lot of male superstars in the Indian film industry have been working for 8 hours for years. And it`s never made headlines.”
She added, “I don`t want to take names now and make this into this whole thing. But it`s very commonly publicly known about a lot of male actors who have been working for 8 hours for years. A lot of them work only 8 hours Monday to Friday. They do not work on weekends. I think the larger issue being that while the Indian film industry is termed as an industry, we`ve never really worked like an industry. We are a very disorganised industry. And I think it`s time that we brought in some systems into this culture.”
When asked if she has support from the women in the industry, she quipped, “I also know a lot of women now and newly turned mothers who have also started working 8 hours. But that also surprisingly didn`t make headlines. So I`m not sure about this myself.”
Deepika Padukone talks about fighting her battles
When asked if she thought she would have to pay a price for asking what she believes is fair, the actress gracefully said, “I`ve done this at many levels. It`s not new to me. I think even as far as pay is concerned, I`ve had to deal with whatever comes. I don`t even know what to call it.”
Deepika added, “I`ve always fought my battles silently. And for some strange reason, sometimes they become public, which is not the way I know. And not the way I`ve been brought up. But yes, to fight my battles and to do it silently and in a dignified way is the way I know.”
