Deepika Padukone's reported eight-hour work demand, which became a point of contention with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, triggered reactions from several Bollywood celebrities. Surveen Chawla is the latest actor to back Deepika as she appealed for a structural change in the film industry. In a recent interview with ETimes, Surveen argued that professional commitments shouldn't be executed at the cost of their personal life.
What's Happening
Surveen Chawla weighed in on the debate over eight-hour work demand that Deepika Padukone reportedly put across after the birth of her daughter Dua.
Speaking to ETimes, Surveen said the industry needs to be become "more conducive" for mothers, especially new mothers. "Being a new mother does come with a fair bit of restriction; there's a lot to cater to when it comes to the child. We need to be mindful of that and try to support or accommodate them in a way that works for both the makers and the actor.
"I don't think it's something that should be questioned. I don't even want to entertain why that happened or why it should happen. It's simply the need-and so be it," she said.
Surveen also said long work hours in the industry often take a toll on the actors' personal lives.
"You can't really take away... How do I put it? I don't think it's fair to take away someone's personal passion just because they're a mother and might not be able to give enough time. In general too, this is the only industry with such extreme working hours.
"When we're on shoot, it's crazy... You're gone for too long. There are days when you don't see your family, your partner, your children, your relatives. And I don't think that's fair," she added.
Drawing parallels with other professions, the actor argued boundaries should be set not only for working mothers, but also for everyone in the industry.
"I really feel we need proper rules and regulations to ensure that people in the industry can also find a balance. Like in other professions, you have fixed hours where you work, then you come home and have time for yourself or your family. It should be the same for us too. So I think this needs to be considered-not just for working mothers, but in general."
Such imbalance between work and life can be quite overwhelming, she argued.
"It can drive you insane. Burnouts are real, and many of us experience them, which is why we often need to take breaks. How cool would it be if we could go to work like in any other profession-put in seven to eight hours and still have a life to live each day? Wishful thinking, but I do hope we're able to achieve that someday," she said.
The Origin Of The Eight-Hour Work Debate
Deepika Padukone, who always advocates work-life balance, reportedly walked out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit as she wanted a fixed eight-hour work shift, a massive fee of Rs 20 crore, a profit-sharing settlement. She had also refused to deliver her dialogues in Telugu, reports stated.
Vanga sparked controversy with what many believe was a his subtle jibe directed at the actor through an X post. In an interview, Deepika recently opened up on dealing with difficult situations.
From Mani Ratnam to Rana Daggubati, from Neha Dhupia to director Ram Madhavani - a large number of celebrities had shared their thoughts on this ongoing debate.
In A Nutshell
Surveen Chawla, who's known for speaking her mind, reiterated that Deepika Padukone's eight-hour work demand shouldn't be "questioned" as it's the need that needs to be fulfilled.
Also read | Explained: The Sandeep Reddy Vanga Vs Deepika Padukone Feud Over Spirit, And Where Triptii Dimri Comes In