Patriarchy isn’t always loud. Sometimes, it’s in the quiet backlash that follows when a “woman” sets a “boundary.” You see, it’s been a month, and it tells you how truly disconnected some are when they say patriarchy doesn’t exist. Because a woman—an actor (Deepika Padukone) at the peak of her career, who also happens to be a new mother—asked to work eight-hour days, and somehow, that simple request triggered a full-blown meltdown.
The headlines haven’t stopped. Did Deepika walk out of Spirit, or was she dropped? Was she being “unreasonable” for asking what most professionals in any other field take for granted? And most tellingly: why has this request, of all things, struck such a nerve?
It’s not the first time a Bollywood deal has fallen through, but this one has unfolded like a referendum on the extent of power women are allowed to wield in this industry. What Deepika reportedly asked for—an eight-hour workday, better pay, a profit share—should have been just that: part of a negotiation. Instead, it’s been spun into an ego clash, a cautionary tale, and a rallying point for every kind of opinion, from supportive to openly derisive.
Sandeep Reddy Vanga didn’t name her, but his comments were unmistakable. Accusations of “dirty PR,” leaking stories, and undermining younger actors hung in the air. In her absence, Triptii Dimri stepped in. Social media did what it does. And Deepika? She stayed silent.
That silence has been doing its own kind of work. In the vacuum, the industry has been compelled to examine itself. Artists have long dealt with punishing long hours, but when someone of Deepika’s stature raises the issue—even indirectly—it carries weight.
Actors like Pankaj Tripathi and Radhika Apte have expressed similar concerns in recent months. Vikrant Massey said he wants to make similar demands in future collaborations. And still, the core question remains: why does this feel like such a big deal?
Because the truth is, Bollywood still romanticises suffering. The longer the hours, the greater the sacrifice, the more “serious” you are about your work.
Boundaries are often seen as laziness. Parenthood, especially motherhood, is treated like a hurdle to be overcome quietly, without disrupting production schedules. In that context, Deepika’s request wasn’t just about work hours—it was about challenging the very rhythm the industry runs on.
And that’s why it’s stuck. Because it shifts the conversation. It reminds people that having influence means little if you can’t use it to advocate for your own well-being.
It also shows just how ‘rare’ it is for someone in power to say: this isn’t sustainable for me, and still expect to be taken seriously.
A month later, Spirit has moved on, the chatter continues, and Deepika is off doing another film—this time with Atlee and Allu Arjun. But the fault lines remain. And they’ve made one thing clear: the industry may run on stardom, but it still hasn’t figured out how to respect those who draw a line.
