Anurag Basu, the director of Metro... In Dino, has openly supported Deepika Padukone’s reported request to work only eight hours a day following the birth of her daughter, Dua. The actress’s demand stirred widespread debate in the film industry, especially after reports emerged that director Sandeep Reddy Vanga had declined her condition—allegedly prompting her to walk away from his upcoming project Spirit.
Basu Agrees with Deepika's Viewpoint
In an interview with Firstpost, Basu said he completely agrees with Deepika’s approach to work-life balance. “I also don’t like long hours shift at work. My actors never complain about long hours or stress at work. So, I absolutely agree to what Deepika Padukone had to say. It’s a film, I never give my actors a chance to complain on this,” he said.
He further explained that he prefers to keep the work environment positive. Basu said he wants his actors to feel happy and comfortable on set, with a strong understanding of their characters. He avoids overloading them with information before shooting, choosing instead to let them explore and develop their roles naturally.
Industry Voices Rally Behind Deepika
Basu isn’t the only one backing Deepika. Other actors from the film industry, including Neha Dhupia, Vikrant Massey, Kajol, Chitrangda Singh, and Sonakshi Sinha, have also supported her request. Their support highlights a growing conversation in the industry about fair working conditions for actors, especially mothers returning to work.
Deepika Moves On with Atlee's Next Film
Following her departure from Spirit, Deepika has joined director Atlee’s new Telugu-language film starring Allu Arjun. This marks her second collaboration with Atlee after their successful partnership in Jawan (2023), which starred Shah Rukh Khan.
While the discussion about work hours continues, Deepika remains focused on new projects, showing that she is standing firm in her choices without slowing down her career.