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After Kajol, Deepika Padukone finds support in actress Kritika Kamra amid 'Spirit' fiasco: 'Some male stars don't even work for 8 hours and...'
Padukone has found support in the likes of Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Mani Ratnam, and Neha Dhupia. And now actress Kritika Kamra has also backed her rightful demands read more
Deepika Padukone's recent exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit featuring Prabhas has been garnering headlines for quite some time now. The actress quit the project because the director refused to accommodate an 8-hour shift, as Padukone had recently embraced motherhood and wanted to spend time with her baby. The filmmaker replaced Deepika with Triptii Dimri in his film by sharing the news on his social media account.
Padukone has found support in the likes of Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Mani Ratnam, and Neha Dhupia. And now actress Kritika Kamra has also backed her rightful demands and said, 'Eight hours is a reasonable demand. Some of our male stars don't even work for eight hours. They have that privilege that they can turn up late. It has become such a huge talking point. There is no parity in this.'
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Earlier Ajay Devgn also shared his support for Deepika Padukone and had said, 'It's not that it's not going down well with people. Most of the honest filmmakers will not have problems with it. And apart from this, being a mother and working for eight hours, most people have started working eight-nine-hour shifts.'
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam had also supported Padukone by calling her demand valid and News18, 'I think it is a rightful demand. I'm glad she's in a position to ask for it. I think as a filmmaker, you will take that into consideration when you cast. It is not an unreasonable thing to ask, but an absolute necessity. I think that should be the priority. You have to acknowledge that, understand it and work around it.'
On the professional front, Deepika Padukone recently came on board for Atlee's directorial featuring Allu Arjun, which is tentatively titled AA22xA6. Kalanithi Maran's Sun Pictures is bankrolling the film.
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Indian Express
2 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘6 months is barely anything': As Deepika Padukone allegedly seeks shorter hours post-motherhood, Indian working mothers weigh in
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Deep Priya, 32, recalls the silence after she requested to continue working from home. 'The HR got back to me only after a few follow-ups. I felt discouraged from asking again.' Geeta Dhawan, 32, fortunately, had a positive experience. 'The small startup of around 25 people I work with offered me a lot of flexibility. I was allowed to work from home and visit the office for only four-five hours on select days. This made my transition back smoother. My reporting manager, a mother herself, was extremely supportive and empathetic.' Dr Shifa Yadav, mother and dermatologist, said, 'When I got back from maternity leave, I noticed that my roles and responsibilities had changed in a quiet way. Even though the job title stayed the same on paper, important projects and chances for growth were often missed.' 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The medical community supports longer recovery periods. Dr Nidhi Rajotia, senior consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology at Artemis Hospitals, recommended 'at least three months post normal delivery or caesarean, which may be extended to six to eight months as per individual requirements and recovery.' She emphasised that for high-stress jobs, the recovery period should be even longer to support both physical and mental health. Dr Rajotia also warned about the health consequences of not having enough time or space to breastfeed or pump. She said it 'can make a mother uncomfortable, stressed, and have less milk, which can affect her physical recovery and emotional health. It can also raise the chance of getting infections like mastitis.' Yet workplace realities often don't align with medical recommendations. Sonica Aron, founder and CEO of Marching Sheep, explained the organisational perspective: 'While childbirth and postnatal care are every woman's right, organisations also work within tight budgets and demanding targets. When a woman returns from maternity leave – usually six months – she often needs time to settle back in.' The psychological impact of inadequate workplace support for new mothers is profound and long-lasting. Meghna Kanwat, clinical psychologist at Lissun, said, 'Returning to work after childbirth presents mothers with a complex blend of emotional, psychological, and cultural challenges, including guilt, anxiety, and a deep sense of overwhelm. These struggles often stem from attachment concerns, societal ideals that glorify both perfect parenting and unwavering professional dedication, and the internal conflict of balancing both roles.' Kanwat also noted, 'In India, these pressures are intensified by cultural expectations of self-sacrificing motherhood, criticism from older family members, and limited support systems in nuclear families.' Juslin Jacob, psychologist at Mpower, Aditya Birla Education Trust, captured the emotional complexity, stating that returning to work after childbirth isn't just clocking back in, it's walking a tightrope strung between two worlds. 'Mothers carry the emotional weight of guilt, the ache of separation, and the anxiety of meeting expectations both at home and in the workplace,' she said. The lack of workplace flexibility compounds these mental health challenges. 'Being perceived as less focused on work or available can dent a mother's professional identity and self-confidence. 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From a mental health perspective, Kanwat outlined organisational best practices: 'Supportive measures like flexible return-to-work plans, paid parental leave, and childcare support can greatly ease a mother's transition back into the workforce.' She also emphasised the importance of cultural change: 'Building a culture that values care, recognises parenting as a shared responsibility, and embraces flexibility over rigid productivity models can profoundly improve both maternal well-being and long-term employee engagement.' Dr Rajotia recommended practical workplace accommodations – regular breaks at work that can help mothers get better physically and feel less tired. Flexible hours allow women to manage their postpartum needs, including breastfeeding and rest. 'Giving women a private, comfortable place to pump encourages milk production and comfort. Getting emotional support from colleagues and bosses can also help your mental health,' she said. Swarupa is a Senior Sub Editor for the lifestyle desk at The Indian Express. With a passion for storytelling, she delves into the realms of art & culture, fitness, health, nutrition, psychology, and relationships, empowering her readers with valuable insights. ... Read More
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