29 May,2025 08:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ajay Devgn and Kajol
Actor Ajay Devgn while speaking at the trailer launch of the film Maa starring Kajol backed the 8-hour shifts for mothers. The senior actor has worked in the industry in the capacity of an actor, producer and director. He spoke about it amid reports of Deepika Padukone exiting Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit over disagreement over working hours and pay. This has led to much discussion about a stable working hour in the industry especially for new mothers.
According to reports, Deepika Padukone who welcomed her baby last year demanded eight hours of work from the makers of Spirit that also stars Prabhas. While this sparked debate online, actor Ajay Devgn seems to have spoken in support of Deepika Padukone at the trailer launch of 'Maa', an upcoming horror film that stars Kajol in the lead.
When asked about his views on the demands for an 8-hour shift, Devgn, without taking names, said, "It's not that it's not going down well with people. Most of the honest filmmakers will not have problems with it. Apart from this, being a mother and working for eight hours, most people have started working eight- to nine-hour shifts."
"It's person to person, and I feel most of the industry understands this," he added.
Earlier, Deepika was expected to star opposite Prabhas in Spirit, a film backed by T-Series and Bhadrakali Pictures. However, she is reportedly no longer part of the project. The film is directed by Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
Just a couple of days back, Vanga took to his X and dropped a fiery post. Though he did not name anyone directly, many believe Vanga was referring to Deepika Padukone, who reportedly stepped away from the project recently.
Taking to his timeline on social media platform X, director Sandeep Reddy Vanga wrote, "When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA(Non Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, You've 'DISCLOSED' the person that you are...."
The filmmaker also went on to say, "Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for ? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft and for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn't get it. You won't get it. You will never get it."
He ended his post with a suggestion to the actor. He said, "Aisa karo.... Agli baar poori kahani bolna... kyunki mujhe jarra bhi farak nahi padtha. (Next time, tell the whole story... Because it doesn't make a difference to me!) #dirtyPRgames."
(with inputs from ANI)
