Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, has sparked widespread debate in the Hindi film industry. The central issue was her request for an eight-hour work shift, something that has split opinions across the board. While some have come out in support of Deepika’s demand, citing the gruelling nature of Bollywood’s long shooting schedules, others believe the issue isn’t as black and white. Still, the debate has shone a much-needed spotlight on working conditions in showbiz. The latest voice to join the conversation is actor Ram Kapoor, who spoke to Firstpost about his own experiences and the practicality of demanding fixed working hours.
“Once you have achieved success in showbiz, whether as a star, as an actor, and people want to work with you, then, yes, you are in a position to choose how many hours you want to work. I have been in that position for many years, even when I was doing TV, I used to decide how many hours I want to work. So I’ve been lucky. Anybody who reaches a level where he doesn’t have to find work is in that position to choose how many hours he or she wants to work. However, most of us actors, myself, of course, and I know a lot of my colleagues, we know that when we sign on a project, we have to do that project to the best that we can, because that’s what it’s all about.”
Drawing from his extensive television career, Ram added: “When I was doing television, I said I would only work eight hours a day because television was nonstop, there were no seasons. It was every single day of every single month for three years, four years, five years. But now, when I’m doing a film, I’m doing an OTT show, like for Mistry, there were times I was working 14 hours a day, 16 hours a day. But it was only for four months. I’m very lucky that I’m getting to do whatever I want to do, then I don’t want to restrict myself. I have no reason to complain. This industry is very challenging. The hours are definitely too long. What they are saying, they are right in their own thinking, I’m only saying that I feel very lucky, very blessed, that I have achieved so much in this line, which is very difficult.
Still, despite acknowledging the challenges, Ram chooses to focus on gratitude over grievance: “And that is why I don’t choose to complain about anything. I just want to stay in a state of happiness where I know how lucky I am. So you don’t get into that negative frame of mind of complaining. You know what I’m saying? But that’s just for me. It doesn’t mean that I’m right and they are wrong.” Ram’s take aligns with a growing list of celebrities who’ve responded to the controversy. Recently, Vikrant Massey publicly supported Deepika, speaking to Hindustan Times, he stated, that as a new mother, she “deserved” an eight-hour workday. Other names who have reportedly sided with Deepika include Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, and filmmaker Mani Ratnam. However, not everyone agrees. Ram Gopal Varma has dismissed the matter, suggesting it’s been “blown out of proportion.”
For those unfamiliar with the situation, Deepika was initially cast as the female lead opposite Prabhas in Spirit. According to reports, she eventually exited the project after some of her key demands, such as a capped eight-hour shoot day, a share in the film’s profits, and the flexibility to not speak her lines in Telugu, were allegedly turned down. She has since been replaced by Triptii Dimri.
