‘You Need To Have A Baby To Realise’: Ishita Dutta Backs Deepika Padukone’s 8-Hour Shift Demand, Says Production Houses Shouldn’t Belittle Actors - FPJ Exclusive

Actress Ishita Dutta has endorsed Deepika Padukone's recent call for an eight-hour workday in an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal. The mother of two opined that such a request is not unreasonable, pointing out that male actors often work for longer hours and do not face the same scrutiny.

Ishita stressed that while production houses can decline the eight-hour shift request, ridiculing or questioning the demand is unfair. She emphasized that the choice to work for extended hours is personal but belittling someone's request for an eight-hour day is problematic.

"I think it's not an unreasonable ask," Ishita stated. She noted that while production houses may prefer actors who can commit to 12-15-hour shifts, this should not invalidate an actor's request for fewer hours. Ishita likened the situation to motherhood, suggesting that it's hard to understand the challenges of working long hours until one experiences it firsthand.

Addressing those who work comfortably for 12-15 hours, Ishita affirmed that it's a personal choice. She revealed that she too has worked long hours, but was pleased when her production let her leave early.

The actress also admitted that she is not yet in a position to demand an eight-hour shift herself. However, she expressed that if she were in a position to negotiate, she would likely make the same request. The debate around Deepika's eight-hour workday demand intensified in 2025 after reports suggested that disagreements over working hours and other professional terms led to her exit from two projects.

Deepika later addressed the criticism, noting that several male superstars have followed eight-hour work schedules for years without facing similar scrutiny.