Rani Mukerjee shares her views on Deepika Padukone's alleged 8-hour shift demand: 'I have also done it….'

Deepika Padukone's departure from two major films has sparked significant discussion in the film industry. Initially, she exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit, reportedly due to her preference for an 8-hour work shift. This was followed by her exit from the sequel of Kalki 2898 AD. The industry's response has been divided, with some supporting her decisions while others express different views.

In a recent interview, Rani Mukerjee shared that she, too, has sometimes worked with similar constraints. She discussed her experiences with limited working hours, adding her perspective to the ongoing debate.

Sharing her views about 8-hour work shift

During a podcast with ANI, Rani Mukerjee was asked about Deepika Padukone's request for an 8-hour work shift. In response, she said, I have also done it where I have worked certain hours. And if the producer is okay with it, then you go ahead with the film. And if the producer is not okay with it, you don’t do the film. It’s a choice. Nobody is forcing anything on anybody. And of course, certain films require extra hours of work, but once you have planned, you can achieve whatever you want to achieve.

The actress elaborated how her schedule was carefully designed around her daughter’s needs. From my house in the suburbs in Juhu to that place, and the traffic takes about two hours. So I kind of made it a thing where in the morning I would leave at 6:30 after expressing my milk, and I would shoot. My first shot used to be at 8 in the morning, and I used to wrap up everything by 12:30-1. My unit and my director were so planned that for those 6-7 hours I used to finish my shoot, and before the traffic would start in town, I used to be home by 3 o’clock. And I did my film like that, she added.

She highlighted that flexible working hours have always been agreed upon by both parties. These things are up for conversation today because maybe people are discussing it outside. But this has been the norm with all professions. I’ve also done it where I have worked for certain hours. If the producer’s okay with it, you go ahead with the film. If the producer’s not okay with it, you don’t do the film. So it’s also a choice. Nobody is forcing anything on anybody, she remarked.

Rani on taking a break

The actress also discussed taking a break from films to focus on raising her daughter and highlighted the work-life balance challenges women actors face, unlike their male counterparts in the industry. She stated, Men don’t have to go through a physical transformation. Additionally, I think we undergo a physical transformation, along with our emotional transformation, as we become mothers. And I’m very happy being a woman.

She mentioned, I would not change this for the world because I think men have really got left out on this beautiful, I would say, amazing… amazing thing that we women go through is giving birth to a child. You know, and that’s the closest we come to God, I think. You know, because we are creating a life. And God creates life. And mothers, in those nine months, they become closest to God because they are creating life inside of them. And that beautiful thing, men will never understand. And I feel sorry for them.

She added, I feel it’s like okay, when they say that God probably entrusted us with having children, imagine if men had to have children, they would drive people mad. Right now, they have a lot of time on their hand, that’s why they’re having wars. If they had to have children, maybe there would be no war in the world. Because they would be busy just preparing for the baby.

Rani Mukerjee’s workfront

Rani Mukerjee recently received the Best Actress award at the 71st National Film Awards for her role in 'Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway.' Her portrayal is inspired by Sagarika Chakraborty's real-life story, where her children were taken by the Norwegian government in 2011. Rani plays Debika, a mother who battles the foreign legal system to reunite with her children.

Since her debut in 'Biyer Phool' in 1996, Rani Mukerji has established a successful career. From captivating audiences in 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' in 1998 to portraying strong and fearless women in numerous films, she consistently chooses roles that showcase both strength and emotion.