‘Rani Mukerji, Kajol did it long before…’ Maharaja Director Siddharth P. Malhotra on Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift demand

As conversations around work-lifestyles steadiness and shooting hours manufacture momentum in the movie industry, filmmaker Siddharth P. Malhotra has weighed in on the ongoing 8-hour shift debate. Reflecting on his contain experiences, he recalled how actors like Rani Mukerji and Kajol had been following structured, 8-hour workdays long sooner than it grew to alter into a trending topic. Citing the instance of the movie Hichki, which was once wrapped in fair 28 days, Siddharth highlighted the importance of self-discipline and coordination on assign no subject the shift duration.

Siddharth P. Malhotra opens up on 8-hour work requests

Talking to IANS, he said, “Every movie has its contain requirement. We shot Hichki with Rani and the young other folks in 28 days with 8-hour shifts. Everybody—from actors to design boys—was once aligned. Kajol extinct to enact 8-hour shifts even abet in 2010. Rani does it too. So what Deepika is pronouncing isn’t new. If a director wants a definite actor and they are able to best give 6 hours a day—so be it. It’s about aligning expectations. It’s now not about ego; it’s about effectivity.”

For the unversed, the ongoing debate around 8-hour work shifts obtained traction after reports emerged about Deepika Padukone’s exit from the movie Spirit. The actress was once at first slated to star opposite Prabhas but reportedly stepped a long way from the mission as a end result of disagreements over definite demands. These included profit-sharing, an eight-hour workday, and other terms that reportedly didn’t align with the filmmaker’s vision. Following her exit, the makers introduced Triptii Dimri on board as the new lead.

Siddharth P. Malhotra addresses the exclaim of pay disparity in industry

Talking about pay disparity in the industry, the Maharaj director acknowledged that whereas the conversation has been ongoing for years, the panorama is gradually transferring. Pointing to top stars like Deepika Padukone and Alia Bhatt, Siddharth famed that they are actually amongst the ideal-paid actors in the commerce.

Based on Siddharth, remuneration in the industry is closely tied to an actor’s box assign of job pull. “The reality is, pay relies to your star energy. The principle few days of a movie rely upon the actor’s draw. After that, it’s the director’s job to contain curiosity. It’s now not correct about gender—it’s about economics. If an actor brings in a solid opening, they deserve that pay. It’s commerce good judgment.”