Mumbai: Actress Soha Ali Khan, best known for her roles in ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Aahista Aahista’, has spoken about the ongoing debate over limiting the working hours of actresses, mentioning Deepika Padukone’s decision to put limits on her shooting schedule.
She expressed her support for Deepika Padukone’s demand for an 8-hour workday, citing her experiences as a working mother. She stressed the importance of work-life balance, especially for mothers in the film industry.
Speaking to ANI, Soha Ali Khan talked about the challenges faced by working mothers in the film industry, saying, “There are not too many Deepika Padukone out there. So she might be able to get what she wants. And I think as a mother I sympathize with what she is asking for. I would like to have all this. I want a system that allows me to work eight hours a day. And then also spend some time with my child.”
Add Zee News as favorite source
Also read: Hansal Mehta supports Deepika Padukone in work culture debate: Says 12-hour shifts have normalized ‘exhaustion’ in film industry
Deepika Padukone’s demand for 8-hour shifts sparked debate when she reportedly left Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit due to creative differences, including her request for structured work hours.
As a mother, Soha Ali Khan gives priority to spending evenings with her daughter Inaaya and instilling values ​​in her child’s life. She mentioned that small daily experiences help shape a child’s personality and she would not want to miss these moments.
She said, “Personally, it’s about 7 in the evening and I get a little cuckoo because it’s time to sleep. And you understand how precious sleep time is. The idea of ​​someone else putting your baby to sleep… Of course, like if Kunal is there, then it’s fine… but I still want to be the same person.”
The actress stressed the importance of being present in your child’s life and how small daily experiences help shape a child’s personality. Soha said, “Children have very brief, short memories. So if children have very brief, short memories. So if something has happened that day, the next day she forgets about it. And those small things result in her personality, which shapes her. And then I missed it. So nothing is that important to me,” Soha said.
Soha Ali Khan also acknowledged the demanding nature of work in the film, saying that it is a commitment that requires a long time. However, he believes that if a producer can accept an actor’s request for 8-hour workdays, it will be beneficial to both parties.
Soha Ali Khan said, “I understand that on a film production, you work 12 hours a day, and it’s a commitment. And a lot of people are investing a lot of money in it. So I think it should be different for everyone. If you’re in a situation where you can say I’m only going to work eight hours a day and I’d like to leave, I would appreciate it. If your producer can do that and feels okay about it, would I be okay with making it? I’m getting enough from this person, so I think there’s not a lot of Deepika Padukone out there, I think that’s all I need to do is allow me to work for eight hours a day.
Soha, daughter of former cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and actor Sharmila Tagore, married Kunal on January 25, 2015. The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Inaaya Naumi Kemmu, on September 29, 2017.
She is known for her roles in films including ‘Mumbai Meri Jaan’, ‘Tum Mile’, ‘Rang De Basanti’, ‘Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns’ and ‘Tera Kya Hoga Johnny’. She also appeared in web series like ‘Kaun Banegi Shikharvati’ and ‘Hush Hush’.