Arjun Reddy fame Shalini Pandey has THIS to say on Deepika Padukone's 8-hour shift demand

Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit stirred widespread chatter in the industry. Reports claimed the actress requested an eight-hour work shift after embracing motherhood - a condition that allegedly didn’t sit well with the makers. Addressing the issue recently, Deepika pointed out that several male superstars have long worked limited hours without facing the same scrutiny.

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Celebs Join the Conversation

Following Deepika’s statement, the topic of balanced working hours for actors became a hot-button issue, especially after her withdrawal from both Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, featuring Prabhas.

Many in the film fraternity weighed in on whether such demands were justified or not.

Shalini Pandey’s Powerful Support for Deepika

Arjun Reddy actress Shalini Pandey, who previously collaborated with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, voiced her support for Deepika during a chat with Hindustan Times.

She praised Deepika’s courage, saying, “Kudos to her for setting a precedent for us to be okay about advocating for mental health. She is incredible, so she should get whatever she wants.”

On Pay Parity and Women’s Rights in Cinema

Shalini also highlighted the larger struggles female actors face in the industry, including the ongoing fight for equal pay. “Abhi hum bahut dur hain (to demand) for things like equal pay,” she said.

She expressed gratitude to veterans like Shabana Azmi for paving the way for women’s rights in cinema and added, “It’s my duty to ask for what I deserve. We may not get it every time, but I’ll keep fighting and set a precedent for women.”

Shalini’s Recent Work

Shalini Pandey was last seen in Maharaj, which marked the acting debut of Aamir Khan’s son, Junaid Khan.

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Debate Continues

While many industry insiders have lauded Deepika Padukone’s stance on mental health and balanced work schedules, others believe such conditions could disrupt film production dynamics - keeping the debate alive in Bollywood circles.