Here is a breakdown of what the actresses had to say about motherhood, work-life balance, and changing the rules of the game in the film industry.
The Context: The 8-Hour Shift Controversy ⏱️
The Fallout: The debate originally sparked in 2025 when Deepika reportedly walked out of two massive pan-India projects—Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit and the highly anticipated sequel to Kalki 2898 AD.
The Reason: Deepika, who welcomed her daughter with Ranveer Singh in late 2024, had reportedly requested strict 8-hour work shifts to balance her new maternal duties. When the makers allegedly could not accommodate these fixed hours, she opted to exit the films, sparking a nationwide debate on industry working conditions.
Ananya's Defense: "It's What She Needs" 🗣️
Ananya Panday strongly advocated for her Gehraiyaan co-star, emphasizing that Deepika’s priorities naturally shifted after motherhood and that it should be respected as a private conversation between an actor and a producer.
The Past Work Ethic: Ananya pointed out Deepika's historically relentless work ethic: "I've worked with her before she became a mother. There was no such thing like that. She was working, coming for workshops, no complaints, no asking for anything."
The New Reality: She added that a new mother needs an environment that supports her, noting, "Now she is a mother, and this is what she needs, to be present with her child during the first two years." Ananya also took a moment to credit Kareena for initially breaking the stigma and changing the game for actresses working post-pregnancy.
Kareena's Take: "You Have to Be Honest" 👑
Kareena, a mother of two who famously continued delivering hits through and right after both her pregnancies, stressed the importance of setting boundaries and having clear communication from day one.
Setting Boundaries: Kareena stated that if an actor is a mother and cannot give endless hours, they should be upfront: "I think it's completely fine to say that way before a film starts. You have to be honest."
The 'Partner' Factor: Drawing from her own experience shooting The Buckingham Murders in London for 35 days, she credited her husband, Saif Ali Khan, for holding down the fort. "When you are in a marriage, you need to have a partner and an understanding... because we both can't be working and leave the children alone," she explained.
SantaBanta Verdict:
For decades, Bollywood film crews and actors have normalized grueling 14-to-18-hour shifts. However, seeing top-tier stars like Kareena Kapoor and Ananya Panday publicly unite to support Deepika Padukone’s boundaries is a massive step forward. It sends a strong message that demanding a healthy work-life balance—especially for new mothers—should be a standard right, not an unreasonable "diva demand."
