Deepika Padukone's Exit from Spirit Highlights Bollywood's Long Shooting Schedules

Bollywood's debate over working hours has taken center stage, with Deepika Padukone's reported exit from the film Spirit directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, at its core. The actrees had requested an eight-hour work shift, a demand that has split opinions across the industry. Ram Kapoor, a seasoned actor, has joined the conversation, sharing his own experiences and shedding light on the practicality of demanding fixed working hours.

Key Takeaways:

  • Ram Kapoor, a veteran actor, believes that established actors can set their own work hours, citing his own experience of deciding his work schedule after achieving success in the industry.
  • Kapoor acknowledges the challenges of long shooting schedules in Bollywood, revealing that he has worked up to 16 hours a day for four months on an OTT show, but believes that he is "lucky" to be in a position where he can choose his work hours.
  • The actor emphasizes the importance of staying positive and grateful, choosing not to complain about the grueling nature of the industry, despite acknowledging the difficulties faced by many.
  • Ram Gopal Varma has dismissed the controversy surrounding Deepika's exit, suggesting that the issue has been blown out of proportion.
  • Other celebrities, including Vikrant Massey, Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, and filmmaker Mani Ratnam, have reportedly sided with Deepika, supporting her demand for an eight-hour work shift.

Statistics:

  • Up to 16 hours a day, Kapoor has worked on an OTT show, revealing the grueling nature of Bollywood's long shooting schedules.
  • Kapoor has been in the industry for many years, signing on projects without feeling forced to compromise on work hours.
  • 2025 marks a year where several celebrities stood up in support of Deepika's demands, but Ram Gopal Varma dismissed the issue as "blown out of proportion."

Sources:

  • Firstpost - "Ram Kapoor on Deepika Padukone's exit from Spirit: Actors can choose their own work hours, but it's not always easy"
  • Hindustan Times - "Vikrant Massey on Deepika Padukone: She deserves an eight-hour workday as a new mother"