The debate over Deepika Padukone’s reported demand for an eight-hour work shift continues to grow, with actress Kajal Aggarwal now openly backing her.
Kajal revealed that she too has introduced specific working-hour clauses in her contracts after becoming a mother.
Speaking in a recent interview with Zoom, Kajal said she now clearly mentions her work timings and also avoids working on Sundays so that she can spend time with her child.
“I also have clauses written in my contract now where I specify my working hours and say that I don’t work on Sundays, so that I can dedicate that time to my child. I can’t work around the clock like I used to,” she said.
Kajal explained that actors work for years to reach a stage where they can make such choices.
According to her, asking for fixed working hours is not unreasonable because similar arrangements already exist in the corporate world and other professions.
“It’s all about priorities. You work so hard to eventually be in a position of choice, to be in a place where you can make a very simple request, and it’s not too much to ask for. It happens in the corporate world. It happens everywhere. Why not in the film industry as well?” she said.
Kajal is not the only actress to support Deepika.
Earlier, Kangana Ranaut also defended the demand, saying Deepika had earned the right to decide her working hours after spending nearly two decades at the top of the industry.
Kangana pointed out that both she and Deepika began their careers around the same time and worked long hours during their early years.
She said newcomers often have less bargaining power because they are easily replaceable, but the situation changes once an actress becomes a top star.
According to Kangana, Deepika is now in a position where filmmakers should be willing to adjust schedules if they want her in their projects.
Kangana also highlighted the larger pressure faced by working women, saying they are often expected to perform demanding jobs while also carrying major responsibilities at home.
The controversy began after reports claimed that Deepika sought an eight-hour workday following the birth of her daughter, Dua.
Her reported demand became a major talking point after her exit from two high-profile South Indian projects, Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD. Though different reasons were discussed, her request for limited working hours was widely cited as one of the issues.
Deepika later spoke about what she described as a double standard in the film industry.
She pointed out that several male superstars have reportedly worked eight-hour shifts for years without facing similar criticism or making headlines.
According to Deepika, some leading male actors even follow Monday-to-Friday schedules and do not work on weekends.
The issue has now turned into a wider debate over work-life balance, gender bias and whether actresses, especially mothers, should have the same freedom to set working conditions as male stars.
With Kajal Aggarwal now saying that she has similar clauses in her own contracts, the support for Deepika’s position is only getting stronger.
