By News18
The debate around work-life balance in Bollywood is heating up鈥攅specially after reports emerged that Deepika Padukone exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga鈥檚 Spirit due to her requests for an eight-hour workday, profit-sharing, and language flexibility being turned down. Now, her Chhapaak co-star Vikrant Massey has spoken up in support of the idea, saying he, too, hopes to adopt a similar working model soon.
In an interview with Firstpost, Vikrant addressed whether such a shift in Bollywood鈥檚 rigorous shooting culture is realistic. 鈥淚 aspire to do something like that very soon. Maybe in a couple of years鈥 I want to go out and say, we can collaborate, but I would only work for eight hours,鈥 he shared. However, he was quick to add that it must remain a mutual decision: 鈥淏ut at the same time, it should be a choice. And if my producer cannot accommodate that鈥攂ecause there are also a lot of other things involved when you are making a film鈥︹
Massey also acknowledged the financial implications of such a change. 鈥淢oney plays a very important role, and I will have to reduce my fees as I will be working for eight hours instead of twelve,鈥 he said. 鈥淚f I cannot give my producer twelve hours a day, I cannot go out there and not reduce my fee. I ought to reduce my fee. It鈥檚 a give-and-take, right?鈥
In a show of solidarity, Vikrant also added, 鈥淎nd as a young mother, I think Deepika deserves it.鈥
Deepika Padukone was originally cast as the female lead in Spirit, starring Prabhas. However, reports suggest she stepped away from the film after the makers declined several of her requests鈥攐ne being a fixed eight-hour workday, another being a share in the film鈥檚 profits, and the third concerning her not wanting to deliver dialogues in Telugu. She was later replaced by Animal star Triptii Dimri.
Meanwhile, Vikrant is looking forward to the release of Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan, a romantic drama that marks Shanaya Kapoor鈥檚 Bollywood debut. Directed by Santosh Singh and produced by Mansi and Varun Bagla under Zee Studios and Mini Films, the film is adapted from Ruskin Bond鈥檚 short story The Eyes Have It and is set to hit cinemas on July 11.
Deepika Padukone, who recently welcomed her first child, will next be seen in Atlee鈥檚 pan-India action project AA22脳A6, opposite Allu Arjun.