The ongoing debate in Bollywood around Deepika Padukone’s reported demand for limited working hours—specifically an 8-hour workday—has sparked significant industry-wide discussion. Deepika reportedly exited major projects like Spirit and Kalki 2 partly due to disagreements over her desire for regulated shoot timings and increased remuneration.

National Award-winning actress Rani Mukerji weighed in on the issue, sharing her personal experience of balancing work and motherhood during the shoot of her 2018 film Hichki. At that time, Rani’s daughter Adira was 14 months old, and she managed her schedule to accommodate short 6-7 hour shooting shifts.

Rani detailed how her unit planned the shoots meticulously so she could leave by midday, ensuring she was home on time to care for her daughter. She spoke about pumping breast milk every morning to ensure her child was fed during long work hours. According to Rani, working defined hours with a supportive team is a matter of choice, and actors must balance professional commitments with personal priorities.

The controversy also highlights gender disparities in the industry regarding the physical and emotional challenges women face during pregnancy and motherhood, which male actors typically do not encounter.

Filmmakers and actors remain divided on working hour norms, but Rani’s perspective underlines a growing recognition of the need for accommodating actors' personal lives, particularly mothers, without compromising the rigors of film production.