Deepika Padukone walks away from 'The Intern': Motherhood penalty or a new era on her terms?
On the surface, this could be just another schedule reshuffle. But look closer, and there might be a pattern starting to emerge. This move comes right after Deepika allegedly exited two big-ticket projects — Spirit and Kalki 2 — citing the need for more sustainable, eight-hour working days. Since welcoming her daughter Dua in September 2024, Deepika has been vocal about setting healthier boundaries on set.
Which raises a difficult question: is this the 'motherhood penalty' playing out in real time? In an industry that still worships punishing shoot schedules and thrives on the image of tireless, always-available stars, how much space is there for a leading lady who is also a hands-on mother?
Bollywood's track record isn't stellar. While male actors return to blockbuster sets within weeks of becoming fathers — often celebrated for 'balancing it all' — women are quietly replaced, their 'bankability' suddenly under scrutiny.
So, given the timing of her back-to-back exits from big banner movies, Deepika's decision could also read as an act of rebellion — reshaping her career on her own terms, refusing to bend to an industry model that hasn't evolved with the times.
Whether this is temporary or marks a more permanent shift into producing, this seems to be a new chapter for the Piku actor, who was last seen on the big screen in Singham Again.
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