‘This Isn’t A 9 To 5 Job’: Adivi Sesh Reacts To Deepika Padukone’s 8-Hour Workday Demand | Telugu Cinema News

Last Updated:September 07, 2025, 19:12 IST

Adivi Sesh reacted to the controversy around Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit over her reported demand for 8-hour shift.

Adivi Sesh Reacts To Deepika Padukone, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Row

Deepika Padukone hit the headlines a few months ago after she exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film ‘Spirit.’ As per several media reports, Deepika, who recently embraced motherhood, demanded an 8-hour workday, a clause that allegedly didn’t sit well with Vanga. Thus began a huge debate in the film industry over work-life balance, and reasonable working hours. Now, actor Adivi Sesh has shared his views about the controversy. He stated that since acting isn’t a 9-to-5 job, work terms should be mutually agreed upon between the actor and the filmmaker.

Adivi Sesh Reacts To Deepika Padukone, Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Row

While speaking with Pinkvilla, Adivi Sesh reacted to Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s reported controversy, and said, “What is agreed upon between a filmmaker and his actors is the only thing that matters. There is no rule per se. Kyuki film 12 ghante banate hai, 18 ghante banate, 6 ghante banate, marzi. Oversimplify kar rahe hai agar bol rahe hai ki 8 ghante, 6 ghante. Yeh 9 to 5 ka kaam nahi hai (Because film is made for 12 hours, 8 hours, 6 hours, it is their wish. It is being oversimplified if you are saying that work needs to be 8-6 hours. This is not a 9 to 5 job).”

When told that Deepika’s demand was because of her motherhood, he said, “As far as I am concerned, I think it’s entirely based on the agreement between the filmmaker and the actor. Practically, it will not work if they have to shoot. If 20 more days get added to the schedule and the budget is not there, how do they accommodate it? I think whatever it should be, it should be agreed upon beforehand. Motherhood or otherwise.”

What Is The Controversy About?

For the unversed, the debate over work hours in Bollywood started after Deepika Padukone’s departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film Spirit. Reports claimed that the actress, who recently embraced motherhood, requested to limit her workday to eight hours- a clause that reportedly didn’t sit well with the filmmaker. Several celebrities, including Vikrant Massey, Rashmika Mandanna, Sonakshi Sinha, Neha Dhupia, Anurag Basu and others came out in support of Deepika amid the ongoing discussion.

In July, director Ram Gopal Varma said that the whole controversy was exaggerated. While speaking with Hindustan Times, Ram Gopal Varma said, “When it comes to having fixed shift timings for actors, I really think that it is an agreement between two people. Each of them has a right to say what they want, and the other one has a right to refuse.” He further added, “The whole thing (between Deepika and Sandeep) was a very exaggerated thing in my opinion. 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. 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.”

Adivi Sesh’s Projects

Meanwhile, Adivi Sesh is all set to star in two back-to-back pan-India releases with leading Bollywood stars. First in line is Dacoit, a genre-bending action-thriller infused with an intense love story, where Adivi Sesh stars opposite Mrunal Thakur. The film is slated for a grand Christmas 2025 release. Following this, audiences will see the actor reprise his role in G2 – Godachari 2, the highly anticipated sequel to his cult espionage hit Goodachari. The film, co-starring Wamiqa Gabbi in a dynamic role, is scheduled to hit theatres on May 1, 2026.