
Actor Soundarya Sharma weighs in on Deepika Padukone-Vanga's 8-hour shift debate
Actor Soundarya Sharma weighed in on the ongoing conversation surrounding working hours in the film industry, which recently came into focus after reports emerged about Deepika Padukone's exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film 'Spirit'. Offering her take on the issue, Sharma shared her thoughts in a conversation with India Today.Speaking exclusively with India Today, Sharma said, 'I think to each their own. Of course, I'm nobody to speak for anybody, but in my capacity I can say - when you're working with certain people, you know your bandwidth. You already know how it's going to be when this person comes on board. It's about mutual understanding. If it works, it works. If it doesn't, then it doesn't.'advertisementThe debate began when Deepika Padukone reportedly requested an 8-hour workday for her role in 'Spirit' starring Prabhas. The issue sparked a range of reactions within the industry. While some criticised the feasibility of such a request in an industry known for its long shooting hours, others applauded Deepika for prioritising her health and personal life. The incident has opened up a broader discussion around how the film industry handles work-life balance.
Apart from Soundarya, veteran actors and filmmakers like Mani Ratnam, Saif Ali Khan, Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Pankaj Tripathi, Tarun Manshukhani and Rana Daggubati have also commented on the matter.Meanwhile, Soundarya Sharma is currently basking in the success of her recently released film 'Housefull 5'. The film stars Akshay Kumar, Abhishek Bachchan, Riteish Deshmukh, Sonam Bajwa, Jacqueline Fernandez and Nargis Fakhri among others.Must Watch
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Pink Villa
22 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
Housefull 5 director breaks silence on Soundarya Sharma being reduced to ‘eye candy': ‘You've paid money to watch it…'
Akshay Kumar 's comedy thriller Housefull 5 has been doing wonders at the box office. The film has earned positive reviews from fans and critics. However, the film was also criticized for 'objectifying' women. Actress Soundarya Sharma was mainly trolled for portraying a role that was all about 'skin show' and being just an 'eye candy' as per critics. Now, director Tarun Mansukhani has opened up about her bold role. He also shared that since audiences have paid money to watch the film, they can have an opinion about it. In a recent interview with News18, the director of Housefull 5 opened up on the intense scrutiny his film received. He shared that such scrutiny usually surrounds successful films, while unsuccessful ones often pass without much reaction. According to him, when people are actively discussing or criticizing a film, it means engagement and that makes him feel happy. Mansukhani also talked about the criticism, stating that those expressing dissent are intentionally focusing on the element of objectification. He said, "It means that they're watching it with a certain eye and sensibility. You can scrutinize it. That's fine. You've paid money to watch it and so, you get to have an opinion on my film." The Housefull 5 director added that the film isn't a forgettable one that leaves no impact, if people are calling it out, it shows they're engaged. He concluded by saying that choosing to focus on that aspect of the film is entirely up to the viewer. Tarun also discussed the portrayal of women in the comedy thriller and shared that the storyline is actively driven by them. He added that the plot revolves around their actions, especially their pursuit of money, and also called Soundarya Sharma a key player, involved in suspicious financial transfers to an offshore account. Meanwhile, Housefull 5 features an ensemble cast including Akshay Kumar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Riteish Deshmukh, Sonam Bajwa, Abhishek Bachchan, Nargis Fakhri, Nana Patekar, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan, Shreyas Talpade, Jackie Shroff, Dino Morea, Chitrangada Singh, Soundarya Sharma, Chunky Pandey, and Johnny Lever.


Pink Villa
22 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
'Deepika Padukone gets more than a lot of male actors': Director Kabir Khan backs her amid Sandeep Vanga's Spirit controversy
Deepika Padukone created quite a stir after her fallout with Sandeep Reddy Vanga over her demand for an 8-hour shift. The industry has since then been divided, and many have come out in support of the actress. The recent one being Kabir Khan, who has voiced his support for the Piku star and her demands. He also revealed that even actors like Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar work on an 8-hour shift. What did Kabir Khan say about Deepika Padukone's 8-hour shift demand? Talking to Movified, Kabir Khan emphasized the importance of work-life balance in their field. He revealed working with 500 members who have their own families and their own lives. He stated that their well-being matters for two reasons: mental health and efficiency. Backing Deepika Padukone's demand for an 8-hour shift, he called it a 'fair point'. 'Aamir Khan works on an 8-hour shift. Akshay Kumar too. So I don't see why Deepika should be denied the same,' said the Chandu Champion director. He also dismissed the notion that filmmaking comes with a cost to personal life. According to the filmmaker, the work should have a structure. He revealed that he had never shot beyond 12 hours, never worked overtime, and never worked on the 7th day of the week. 'These are basic rules.' Furthermore, Khan also stated that everyone has the right to set their own terms, which suit them. He concluded by saying, 'If a filmmaker doesn't agree, they should have a valid reason. It's that simple.' What did Kabir Khan say about Deepika Padukone's pay demand? Deepika Padukone had reportedly also demanded Rs 25 crore for Spirit, which again did not land well with Vanga. When asked about the reason behind male actors being paid more. Kabir called it a misunderstood argument. He stated that the Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani actress gets paid more than a lot of male actors. 'Whoever brings in the viewers, whether it's an actor, director, man or woman… they deserve to be paid what they're worth. Deepika consistently pulls crowds, so she rightly commands the fee she does,' he stated. On the work front, it was recently announced that Deepika Padukone has come on board Atlee and Allu Arjun's next AA22 X A6. From the looks of the announcement video, it seems she will play a warrior princess in the same.
&w=3840&q=100)

First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Raid 2 to Housefull 5: How Riteish Deshmukh has back-to-back Rs 100 crore blockbuster hits in 2025
Beyond the comedy, he has proven his mettle in other genres, notably with Ek Villain (2014), where his chilling portrayal of an antagonist earned him critical acclaim and box office glory read more Riteish Deshmukh has solidified his standing as a prominent figure in Bollywood, consistently delivering performances that resonate with audiences and translate into significant box office success. His journey in the industry is marked by a remarkable achievement: eight films that have each crossed the coveted Rs 100 crore mark. This impressive feat not only underscores his widespread appeal but also highlights his consistent ability to be part of commercially successful ventures across diverse genres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His centurion streak includes some of the biggest entertainers in recent memory. The actor has been a consistent presence in the highly successful 'Housefull' franchise, with Housefull 2 (2012), Housefull 3 (2016), Housefull 4 (2019), and the recent Housefull 5 (2025) have all found their place in the Rs 100 crore club, showcasing the enduring power of the series and Deshmukh's integral role within it. Beyond the comedy, he has proven his mettle in other genres, notably with Ek Villain (2014), where his chilling portrayal of an antagonist earned him critical acclaim and box office glory. The Grand Masti (2013) and action-comedy Total Dhamaal (2019) further cemented his position as a commercial powerhouse. He also featured in Raid 2 (2025), another 100-crore grosser. Adding to his recent achievements, Riteish Deshmukh experienced a particularly phenomenal period with back-to-back Rs 100 crore blockbusters in Raid 2 and Housefull 5, achieving this impressive feat within a mere 35 days. Looking ahead, Riteish Deshmukh is set to embark on exciting new cinematic journeys. Riteish Deshmukh is embarking on his most ambitious project to date with 'Raja Shivaji,' a pan-India film that sees him taking on multiple pivotal roles: producer, actor, and director. This multi-faceted involvement underscores his deep commitment to bringing the life of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Fans of his comedic flair are eagerly waiting his return in Dhamaal 4, promising another dose of laughter and entertainment from the actor. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD