Veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has shared his thoughts on the recent controversy involving Deepika Padukone and 'Animal' director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, brushing off the debate as “blown out of proportion.” The row began after reports surfaced that Deepika had exited the film 'Spirit' following a disagreement over an 8-hour workday clause, a request she allegedly made after becoming a mother. While the incident sparked widespread discussion around work-life balance and industry norms, RGV believes the fuss is unnecessary.

Speaking to Hindustan Times, Ram Gopal Varma offered a different take. “Because I can say, I want to work for 23 hours, and the actor can say I want to work only for one hour. That's their call,” he explained. “But how can one human being force another human being to do something? And they can agree to work or not work with each other… But that thing was just kind of blown up in the media.”

He emphasised that any agreement on working conditions is ultimately a negotiation between two parties and nothing more. According to him, the unpredictable nature of filmmaking makes it nearly impossible to set strict shift hours. He added, “That’s because it depends on so many factors. The director might need a particular light. He might want some combination of another actor, or maybe the location is not available. There are too many factors which can factor in."

Mohit Suri On Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour Shift Demand 

Interestingly, director Mohit Suri also weighed in on the situation recently, saying, “To each their own. I think it depends on the kind of budget you’re working with… No one’s sadistic enough to unnecessarily torture someone.”

Suri further added that expectations should be clear from the beginning. “You have a choice to be a part of something or not. But what I think is unfair is when someone comes in and starts dictating terms after signing on. You knew what the project entailed – the constraints, the realities,” he told NDTV.

For the unversed, Deepika Padukone has yet to address the reports directly.