New Delhi: Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit has sparked an industry-wide conversation around work hours, fair compensation, and expectations from working mothers. The actress reportedly stepped away citing a preference for an 8-hour work schedule, alongside concerns over profit-sharing terms and a high remuneration ask — conditions that reportedly did not sit well with the film’s makers.

Genelia Weighs In

Actress Genelia Deshmukh, who is currently promoting her upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par, addressed the issue in a recent interview with Zoom. While acknowledging the challenges of balancing professional and personal life, especially as a mother, she emphasized that long workdays are part of the filmmaking process.

“It is tough but not impossible,” Genelia said. “I do work 10-hour days and sometimes stretch to 11 or 12 hours. It’s about understanding and adjusting. There are days where you push, and it’s part of the job.”

About Sitaare Zameen Par

The film is a spiritual sequel to the 2007 classic Taare Zameen Par. This time, the story follows a disillusioned basketball coach, played by Aamir Khan, who trains neurodivergent adults as part of a community service sentence after a DUI offense. The experience transforms his perspective on life and inclusion.

Genelia Deshmukh stars as the female lead alongside 10 debutants: Aroush Datta, Gopi Krishna Varma, Samvit Desai, Vedant Sharma, Ayush Bhansali, Ashish Pendse, Rishi Shahani, Rishabh Jain, Naman Mishra, and Simran Mangeshkar.

Industry in Discussion

Deepika’s departure has reignited a debate on sustainable work culture in Bollywood, especially for women and new mothers. While opinions differ, voices like Genelia’s suggest that mutual understanding and flexibility are key in an evolving industry.

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