‘South does it already, Bollywood still can’t?’: Jyothika on Deepika’s 8-hour shift row

The debate around work-life balance in the film industry has intensified once again after actor Jyothika openly supported Deepika Padukone’s reported demand for an eight-hour workday, while also pointing out a major difference between Bollywood and South Indian cinema work culture.

Speaking in an interview with Times Entertainment alongside Sonakshi Sinha, Jyothika revealed that fixed working schedules are already common in the South film industry and said she has personally never had to demand shorter shifts while working there.

“I don't know, our shifts in the South usually end by 6 PM. 99% of the films wrap up by 6 PM. We start early in the morning. It's usually from 7 AM to 6 PM or 9 AM to 6 PM,” Jyothika said while reacting to the discussion around eight-hour work schedules for actors.

Her comments come at a time when Deepika Padukone’s reported exit from Spirit and the second part of Kalki 2898 AD has sparked intense industry chatter. Reports had claimed that Deepika sought an eight-hour workday, profit-sharing arrangements and additional compensation for overtime beyond fixed hours.

While the rumours surrounding the films remain unconfirmed officially, the discussion has triggered a larger conversation in the entertainment industry about working conditions, especially for women actors balancing careers and personal life after motherhood.

Sonakshi Sinha strongly defended the idea of actors asking for healthier work schedules and questioned why such demands are often treated differently depending on who makes them.

“Why are we still questioning it? There are many actors who don't work even a minute beyond eight hours. Whether their shot is done or not, they get into their cars and leave. No one questions them. Now, if you are an actor, and you have reached a good position, and have been in the industry for a significant period, I feel there is nothing wrong in demanding an eight-hour shift,” Sonakshi said.

Jyothika also stressed that Deepika has earned the right to ask for such conditions and added that the actor now has responsibilities beyond film sets as a mother.

The conversation has resonated widely online, with many social media users comparing working cultures in Bollywood and South Indian cinema. Jyothika’s statement about South Indian shoots typically wrapping up by evening has especially drawn attention, as several actors and technicians have previously spoken about extremely long working hours in Hindi cinema productions.

Amid the ongoing debate, Jyothika and Sonakshi are also preparing for the release of their upcoming film Sita, which is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on May 22.

In the film, Jyothika plays a court stenographer assisting a public prosecutor portrayed by Sonakshi. Actor-filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker appears as a prominent defence lawyer and also plays the father of Sonakshi’s character.

Directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the film has already generated attention for bringing together two strong female-led performances at a time when conversations around women’s voices in the industry are dominating headlines both on and off screen.