Actor Ram Kapoor has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding Deepika Padukone’s reported request for an eight-hour work shift, sharing his own experiences in the demanding entertainment industry.
Deepika Padukone’s Work Shift Demands Spark Industry Debate
The Hindi film industry is abuzz with discussion following reports of Deepika Padukone’s departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film, ‘Spirit’. Sources suggest her exit was due to unfulfilled demands, including a cap on daily shooting hours to eight, a share in the film’s profits, and the flexibility to not deliver lines in Telugu.
This situation has ignited a widespread conversation about working conditions in Bollywood. While some prominent figures have supported Deepika’s stance, citing the notoriously long and grueling schedules, others view the issue with more nuance.
Ram Kapoor’s Take: Success and Choice in Showbiz
Joining the conversation, veteran actor Ram Kapoor shared his perspective with Firstpost. He believes that once an actor achieves a certain level of success, they gain the power to choose their working hours.
“Anybody who reaches a level where he doesn’t have to find work is in that position to choose how many hours he or she wants to work,” Kapoor stated, emphasizing that he has been fortunate enough to be in such a position for many years, even during his television career.
TV vs. Films: Different Working Realities
Ram Kapoor highlighted the distinct nature of working in television versus films and OTT projects. He recalled that during his extensive TV career, he consciously limited himself to eight-hour shifts.
“Television was nonstop,” he explained, “It was every single day of every single month for three years, four years, five years.” However, he noted that for films or OTT shows, like ‘Mistry’, he’s willing to work longer hours, sometimes 14 to 16 hours a day, because these projects are typically for shorter durations, like four months.
A Philosophy of Gratitude Over Grievance
Despite acknowledging the industry’s challenging and often extended hours, Ram Kapoor chooses to focus on gratitude. He feels “very lucky” and “very blessed” to have achieved success in a difficult field.
“I don’t choose to complain about anything,” he affirmed, explaining his preference to maintain a positive mindset. He believes focusing on blessings prevents a “negative frame of mind of complaining,” though he stresses that his personal philosophy doesn’t invalidate others’ concerns.
Industry Reactions Continue to Divide Opinion
The debate around working hours in the industry continues to draw diverse opinions. Many celebrities have sided with Deepika Padukone, advocating for more humane work schedules, especially for new mothers. Vikrant Massey publicly supported her, stating she “deserved” an eight-hour workday as a young mother.
Other names reportedly supporting Deepika include Pankaj Tripathi, Vinay Pathak, Saif Ali Khan, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, and filmmaker Mani Ratnam. However, some, like Ram Gopal Varma, have downplayed the issue, suggesting it has been “blown out of proportion.”
- Success allows actors to dictate working hours, according to Ram Kapoor.
- TV work required shorter, consistent hours due to its continuous nature.
- Film/OTT work involves longer hours but for shorter, more intense periods.
- Ram Kapoor prioritizes gratitude over complaining about industry challenges.
- Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from ‘Spirit’ stemmed from demands for an 8-hour shift and other conditions.
As the industry evolves, the discussion around sustainable working conditions remains a crucial topic for its talent.
