Rana Daggubati discusses work-life balance amid Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy row

India Today

9 hours ago

As debates around fixed working hours in Indian film industries gain momentum, actor Rana Daggubati has weighed in with a grounded perspective, urging people to view the conversation through the lens of India's economic and social realities. His comments come at a time when Deepika Padukone's reported exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Prabhas's upcoming movie 'Spirit', allegedly due to long working hours and contractual disagreements, has brought the issue into public focus.advertisementIn an interview with The Lallantop, Rana addressed the growing calls for structured workdays in film production. "We should understand that India is a developing country. We are not a developed nation. Our economy is probably 186th in the world if you look at the per capita income," he explained. 'So to me, it is not work, it is a lifestyle.'Rana, who hails from the Telugu film industry, pointed out that work culture in cinema is not one-size-fits-all. 'It depends on the project, the person, and the region. For example, Maharashtra follows a 12-hour shift from 9 am, while Telugu cinema typically has an 8-hour shift starting at 7 am,' he said, adding that other factors like location and whether a shoot is on a set or in a studio also influence working hours.advertisement
He emphasised the complexity of the issue, noting, 'You are seeing it as a generic statement - it is not.' Citing India's massive population and income disparities, he added, 'In a country where 70-80 percent of people earn Rs 100 a day, we need to look at things in perspective. We still have a long way to go.'About the pressure actors face during long shoots, Rana said, 'Nobody is forcing anybody. It's a job. It's a choice. Everyone has their own opinion on what's important to them. There are actors who only work four hours a day - that's their system.'His comments come in the wake of headlines surrounding Deepika Padukone, who reportedly exited 'Spirit' after her request for an eight-hour workday was declined. While the actor has not addressed the matter publicly, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga posted a cryptic note on social media that seemed to take aim at her, without directly naming her.In the post, Vanga accused an unnamed actor of playing a 'dirty PR game' and betraying his trust. 'There is an unsaid NDA between us. But by doing this, you've disclosed the person that you are. Is this what your feminism stands for?' he wrote.advertisementRead the post here:
The controversy has not only fuelled conversation about working conditions in the entertainment industry but also raised questions about how India's creative sectors reconcile artistic ambition with evolving workplace ethics.On the work front, Rana Daggubati is busy promoting the upcoming season of his show 'Rana Naidu'. It will begin to stream on Netflix from June 13.Trending Reel
IN THIS STORY#Deepika Padukone