The film industry has recently been buzzing with conversations surrounding Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Deepika’s decision to walk away from the film Spirit sparked debate and the reason behind her exit came down to a disagreement over working hours. The actress had requested an 8-hour workday, a condition the makers of the film were unwilling to accept. This triggered conversations about actor rights, work-life balance, and industry norms.
In the midst of this, veteran actor Ram Kapoor shared his views on the matter. Speaking to Firstpost, he gave his honest perspective on whether fixed working hours are realistic in the film and TV business. According to Ram, it all comes down to the level of success an actor has achieved. “Once you have achieved success in showbiz, whether as a star, as an actor, and people want to work with you, then, yes, you are in a position to choose how many hours you want to work,” he stated.
Ram admitted that he’s had the privilege of deciding his own working hours for years. He pointed out that even during his television days, he had the freedom to set his schedule. He felt fortunate to have earned that kind of position in the industry where producers respected his time. He revealed that this wasn’t common when he started, but over time, he built enough credibility to ask for what he needed.
Television, he recalled, was especially demanding. Ram shared that TV shows had no breaks. They went on every day, every week, month after month, often for years. This kind of work took a toll. That’s why, during those years, he insisted on working only a certain number of hours per day. The pressure and the never-ending schedule left little room for anything else.
Despite that, his recent experience shooting for the OTT series Mistry was different. He said that although the days were long, stretching to 14 or 16 hours, the show had a set schedule. Ram said, “But it was only for four months. I’m very lucky that I’m getting to do whatever I want to do, then I don’t want to restrict myself. I have no reason to complain.”
Meanwhile, the role once meant for Deepika in Spirit, which also stars Prabhas, has now gone to Triptii Dimri. With this shift, attention has moved toward how the film will shape up with a new lead. But the broader conversation lingers, can Bollywood adapt to changing expectations around work culture?
Ram’s take offers insight into how experience and seniority can give actors more freedom. It also reflects a quiet but growing shift where performers are starting to push for balance without compromising on quality. The Deepika-Vanga episode may just be one of many moments nudging the industry to rethink how it treats its stars and value their time.
