Actor Yami Gautam responded to the ongoing debate on Deepika Padukone’s call for an eight-hour workday, offering a balanced perspective. She said that motherhood doesn’t change her professional choices, as she views her personal and professional lives as distinct.
‘Every Mother Is Special,’ Says Yami
Reflecting on the challenges faced by working mothers, Yami noted that the demand for regulated working hours is both valid and humane. “To begin with, once a mother, always a mother. Regardless of whether you are employed or a stay-at-home parent, every mother is unique and does everything possible for her child. No one holds more importance to a mother than her child."
Yami acknowledged that while the film industry functions differently from other professions, scheduling flexibility should stem from mutual understanding. “Regarding my profession, the manner in which I select my scripts is entirely separate from my personal life. While we may desire a time limit like in other professions, our industry operates differently. There are various factors such as locations, permissions, and the involvement of other actors and technicians. Therefore, the idea of a time limit is quite subjective and relies on the collaboration and understanding between an actor, a producer, and a director."
The Deepika Padukone Work-Hours Row
The debate around time-bound shooting schedules began after Deepika Padukone reportedly exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit over her request for an eight-hour workday. The actor was later said to have walked away from Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2 for similar reasons.
Deepika, who recently became a mother to daughter Dua, allegedly wanted to limit her daily work hours to spend more time with her family. Her decision has sparked ongoing industry-wide discussions about fair working conditions and flexibility for actors, especially women balancing career and motherhood.