Mohit Suri weighs in on Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift demand: ‘You can choose not to be a part of it’ |

As conversations around fair work hours in the film industry gain momentum, filmmaker Mohit Suri has offered a grounded perspective amid the buzz surrounding Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from Spirit. The actor allegedly walked away from the Sandeep Reddy Vanga directorial due to her demand for an eight-hour workday—a move that has sparked widespread debate. Weighing in, Suri highlighted the importance of balancing personal preferences with the practical realities of filmmaking, especially in a budget-driven industry.Speaking to NDTV, the director said that every individual has their own preferences and that work hours often depend on the scale and budget of a project. He added that no director deliberately pushes actors beyond limits, as there’s no intention to cause unnecessary discomfort.He further emphasized that a happy crew contributes to better filmmaking, but also acknowledged that practical limitations—like tight budgets—often shape the working conditions on set, including the number of shooting hours each day.Mohit also stressed that every actor has the right to accept or decline a project, but once they’ve committed, it’s important to respect the terms agreed upon. He noted it’s unfair for someone to start setting new conditions after signing on, especially when they were aware of the project’s demands from the start.As the debate around work hours—particularly for top-billed stars—continues to heat up, Mohit Suri’s statement shifts the focus from personal conflicts to the practical realities of filmmaking. His perspective highlights the balance between individual preferences and the collective demands of a production.Concluding his thoughts, Suri clarified that the heart of the debate isn’t personal differences but financial constraints. He emphasized that at its core, the issue stems from budget limitations—a reality that shapes many aspects of film production.