Deepika Padukone, one of the highest-paid actresses in the industry, has always been an advocate for fair working hours and equal pay ever since she rose to fame.
In her recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the actress revealed how she’s now reached a phase in her career where box-office milestones no longer define her or her choices.
Following her exit from two major projects opposite Prabhas, namely Spirit and KALKI 2898 AD, the actress said that she’s no longer impressed by the 500 crore spectacles that the audiences and industry like to hype.
Deepika explained that in the current phase of her career, she is more invested in nurturing new creative voices instead of chasing commercial blockbusters.
She stated that “What excites me is empowering other talent. My team and I are now focused on that—enabling storytelling and supporting other creative minds, writers, directors, and even new producers.”
The actress, who has backed projects like Chhapaak and 83 under her production house Ka Productions, added that she now prefers projects based on honesty and instinct rather than being impressed by their financial scale.
Deepika further reflected on her growth and noted that even though she might question some choices down the road, what matters to her is that the choice she makes in the present is honest.
Additionally, she also addressed the industry’s unhealthy work culture and the glorification of long, punishing schedules that actors and other creative professionals in the industry are subjected to.
According to her, overworking has been normalized as people mistake burnout for commitment. She even argued that eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind and that it’s only when you’re healthy that you can give your best.
Deepika’s statements, which come months after her exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s KALKI 2898 AD, have stirred the internet.
While many argue that the actress seems to be taking a dig at the makers who didn’t care to respect her choices, others feel that her concerns are genuine and that the industry does need to slow down instead of spewing projects that eventually don’t even perform well.
Currently the actress is collaborating with Shah Rukh Khan on Siddharth Anand’s upcoming spectacle KING, which marks another high-profile project in their long-running professional partnership.
