For months, one of the most heated discussions in the Indian film industry has revolved around work hours. The debate ignited after Deepika Padukone exited Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, with reports suggesting she had asked for an 8-hour shift a request reportedly rooted in her responsibilities as a new mother.
While many supported the idea of more humane working hours, others questioned whether such demands were practical in big-budget filmmaking. Now, the conversation has flared up again after filmmaker Aditya Dhar revealed the long hours his team clocked for his upcoming film Dhurandhar, starring Ranveer Singh.
At the film’s trailer launch, Dhar praised his cast and crew for their dedication during the film’s intense production phase. “Actors se leke HODs se leke, even assistant se leke spot dada tak, everybody was like ki yaar is film ke liye jaan deni hai,” he shared. “We have worked 16 hours, 18 hours continuously for one and a half years. And not even once has anybody complained ki sir aap humse zyaada kaam karwa rahe ho. Everybody has given their hundred percent. And that’s how this film happened.”
His remarks stirred immediate reactions online, especially because Ranveer Singh — Deepika’s husband and the film’s lead actor was present on stage when Dhar made the statement. Under a viral Reddit thread, one user commented, “Her husband is standing right there on the stage and not saying a word either,” while another wrote, “Said this in front of green flag husband Ranveer who didn’t utter a word.” Someone else pointed out, “Oof man and Ranveer is the lead of the film.”
The discussion also highlighted the gender dynamics behind work-hour expectations. One netizen reflected, “Most of the cast are men who have family taking care of their kids or househelp… Deepika was in a position to demand though there was more to it, and when it backfired, everything was made about the 8-hour shift. Infants heavily depend on mothers in the first two years… nothing wrong in asking for support, but producers reacted badly.”
Aditya Dhar on Dhurandhar: We worked for 16-18 hours for this film and no Actors, HOD or spot dada complained for once!
byu/arina_0730 inBollyBlindsNGossip
Meanwhile, the trailer of Dhurandhar has dominated social media, with fans praising Ranveer Singh’s intense new avatar. Deepika Padukone, too, expressed her excitement by sharing the trailer on Instagram, captioning it, “The Chameleon is back!!!”
Also Read: Dhurandhar-Aditya Dhar Goes Darker, Bolder and Bloodier than Ever
As the film gears up for its December 5 release, anticipation continues to grow — both for Ranveer’s performance and the conversations Dhurandhar has already sparked.
