Haq director Suparn Varma backs Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour workday demand: “It should not be news”

November 25, 2025 - 2:54 PM IST

Deepika Padukone’s recent decision to insist on an eight-hour workday for film shoots unexpectedly triggered a major discussion across the Hindi film industry. While some celebrities expressed that they neither track working hours nor expect their crew to do so, others supported Deepika’s stance, pointing out that limiting work hours is a standard part of contract negotiations. Among those weighing in was Haq director Suparn Varma, who emphasised that such demands are not new. According to him, actors have always outlined their requirements before signing any project, and these terms including work hours, entourage size, and other professional needs are typically settled during the negotiation stage itself.

Haq director Suparn Varma backs Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour workday demand: “It should not be news”

Suparn addressed the issue during a conversation on the Cyrus Says YouTube channel. He explained, “This has existed for decades now. Actors are signed on with a contract, when they are paid, and they have their list of demands. Whether it’s 10 vanity vans or 1, if it is 2 people with them or 3, how long will their work hours be, will they shoot night shifts or day shifts, shoot on Sundays or not? It is all codified, so when an actor does that today, it should not be news.”

Asked how he would manage if he needed extra time from Deepika, Suparn responded openly. “Then that particular day, I will request her. Every actor gives a concession. I have had actors who, in their contract, have 10 hours that includes make-up, lunch and shoot time, which is technically 8 hours of shoot, and you work your schedule around that. You plan around it, and that’s how it works. It’s no big deal.”

He added that mutual adjustments are routine in filmmaking. “So if Deepika is working with me, and she says these are the hours that she is giving me and someday, I need more time, she will know it in advance. She will plan her life accordingly, that these 2-3 days Suparn needs extra time, rest of the days, he is working on my schedule.” He even joked with host Cyrus, “So we have to crack more jokes, make her laugh so she says yes. Hasee to phasee right?”

Deepika’s eight-hour workday stance surfaced after she exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and later walked out of Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD sequel.

Also Read : Suparn S Varma on the response to Haq at IFFI Goa 2025, “It was deeply moving”