Actors Kajol and Ajay Devgn have spoken out in support of flexible work hours for new mothers in the film industry, amidst the ongoing fallout between actress Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga.
Their comments came during the trailer launch of Kajol’s upcoming film Maa.
When asked about the growing demand among industry mothers for shorter, 8-hour workdays, Kajol responded positively, saying she appreciates the idea of working fewer hours. Ajay Devgn chimed in, emphasising that many in the industry already understand and support the shift toward shorter work hours.
"It's not that it is not going down well with people. A lot of people understand. Most of the honest filmmakers would not have a problem with it. Also, other than new moms working for 8 hours, most people have started working for 8 hours. I think it's person to person, and most of the industry understands," Devgn said.
Their remarks follow the highly publicised departure of Deepika Padukone from Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit.
Reportedly, one of the points of contention was Padukone’s request for a 6-hour working day to accommodate her responsibilities as a new mother—an arrangement that didn't sit well with the filmmaker. The actress also demanded a ₹20 crore fee, profit-sharing, and had concerns about delivering dialogues in Telugu, all of which contributed to her exit from the project.
Triptii Dimri has since replaced her as the lead.
Following her departure, Sandeep Reddy Vanga issued a pointed statement on social media, accusing the actress of breaching trust.
He wrote, "When I narrate a story to an actor, I place 100% faith. There is an unsaid NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement) between us. But by doing this, you've 'DISCLOSED' the person that you are... Putting down a younger actor and ousting my story? Is this what your feminism stands for? As a filmmaker, I put years of hard work behind my craft & for me, filmmaking is everything. You didn't get it. You won't get it. You will never get it."
Meanwhile, Kajol is gearing up for the release of Maa, a film that delves into a mother’s fight against evil to protect her daughter. Tied to the universe of Ajay Devgn’s Shaitaan, the movie is scheduled to hit cinemas on June 27, 2025.