A recent debate concerning working hours in the film industry, sparked by reports of Deepika Padukone’s exit from two major films, has brought to light differing views on set-time regulations. This discussion took center stage at an event for Rashmika Mandanna’s upcoming Telugu film, The Girlfriend, where producer SKN weighed in, strongly praising Mandanna’s work ethic.
The debate intensified following reports that Deepika Padukone stepped away from films like Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and the sequel to Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD after allegedly requesting a strict 8-hour work shift.
SKN Praises Rashmika’s Unrestricted Commitment
During the event for The Girlfriend, producer SKN used his time on stage to laud Rashmika Mandanna for her dedication, making a clear, indirect reference to the ongoing controversy.
“At a time when there’s debate on how many hours one should work, there’s only one heroine in pan-India who’s willing to work however many hours needed,” SKN stated.
He further elaborated on her commitment: “She views work with love, not in terms of hours. Her commitment is about timing, not strict limits. This is why everyone feels like Rashmika is part of the family.”
Rashmika Mandanna, who was present at the event, appeared visibly overwhelmed and emotional by the producer’s high praise.
Deepika Padukone Defends Her Stance
The core of the issue centers around Deepika Padukone reportedly requesting an 8-hour workday. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, the actress defended her choice, suggesting that the industry’s reaction was gendered.
“By virtue of being a woman, if that’s coming across as being pushy or whatever, then so be it,” she stated.
Padukone highlighted that many prominent male stars in the industry have worked 8-hour shifts for years without generating negative headlines. She also noted that despite its professional title, the film industry remains very “disorganised” in many of its operational aspects, implicitly advocating for better structure and boundaries.
Rashmika’s Upcoming Projects and Personal News
Rashmika Mandanna has an extremely busy schedule this year. She has already featured in the Hindi films Chhaava, Sikandar, and Thamma, alongside the Telugu and Tamil release Kuberaa.
Her immediate upcoming film, The Girlfriend, is set for a theatrical release on November 7. Following this, she has Cocktail 2 and Mysaa lined up.
In personal news, the actor was recently in the spotlight for her engagement to co-star Vijay Deverakonda, which took place earlier this month. The couple is reportedly set to tie the knot in February of next year.