Deepika Padukone’s exit from filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s highly anticipated movie Spirit has sparked debate not only online but also among industry members. After Triptii Dimri was announced as the female lead opposite Prabhas, reports of Deepika's request to the makers began circulating online. Reportedly, the new mother requested an eight-hour shoot schedule per day to balance her personal and professional life. However, this request was not well received by Vanga and words of conflict followed. Amid this, Radhika Apte, who welcomed her first child, a baby girl, in December 2024, revealed that the industry is not supportive of new mothers, stating that it’s really difficult to work in the film industry due to the long hours.
Radhika Apte has been open about her pregnancy and professional struggles during it. She worked through her pregnancy and even wrote a draft the day before she went into labour. Not only this, her maternity leave was one week short as she was back on Zoom calls for virtual meetings within a week of delivery. She shared the first photo of breastfeeding her daughter while attending the meeting on Instagram.
The actress, who is currently in London, with her daughter and husband, addressed whether the film industry is conducive to the needs and well-being of new mothers or not. In a conversation with Indian Express’ SCREEN, Apte said, "I don’t think they are. I don’t know how I’m going to navigate that going ahead."
On challenges being faced as a new mother, the actress added, “It’s really difficult to work in our film industry, given the number of hours and how we film generally, and the time for which we don’t get to see the child. So I guess I’ll just have to figure it out now."
Recently, Ajay Devgn also shared their views on the ongoing controversy during the trailer launch of Maa.
Ajay defended the filmmakers of the industry and also stated that not only mothers but everyone has started working 8-hour shifts. He said, "Most honest filmmakers will not have problems with it. And apart from this, being a mother and working for eight hours, most people have started working eight-nine hour shifts. It’s person to person, and I feel most of the industry understands this."
The Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's feud has taken over the internet. However, the actress has not reacted to this but the filmmaker has taken an indirect dig at her.
After getting a release in the UK and the US later in 2024, Sister Midnight has finally been released in India. It is currently running in the theatres.
Meanwhile, Radhika Apte, whose black comedy Sister Midnight was premiered at Cannes Film Festival last year, is currently screening in Indian theatres.
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