Soha Ali Khan defends Deepika Padukone's 8-hour shift demand

In an industry known for its demanding schedules and relentless pace, actor Soha Ali Khan is lending her voice to a growing call for change. Soha has come out in support of Deepika Padukone’s push for an eight-hour workday—a demand that’s sparking crucial conversations around work-life balance, especially for mothers in cinema. Soha became a mother in 2017 at the age of 38, welcoming her daughter Inaaya. In conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, she admitted that the early years of motherhood completely consumed her, leading to a temporary loss of personal identity. Her focus on parenting was so intense that it distanced her from friends, strained her marriage, and put her career on hold. Soha explained that choosing to have a child later in life was intentional, knowing it would demand her full attention.

For nearly three years, her world revolved entirely around Inaaya, and it took time before she could strike a balance between motherhood, work, and personal relationships.

The actress further shared that she is now actively working to maintain a balance between her professional commitments and personal life. Despite being back on set, she admitted that being away from her daughter remains emotionally challenging.

During a shoot in Rajasthan, she broke down after not seeing Inaaya all day, underscoring how deeply involved she is in her daughter's routine—especially their nightly bedtime ritual.She also expressed strong support for Deepika Padukone’s push for an eight-hour workday, relating to the need for structured hours as a mother. She acknowledged that her firm 7 p.m. cutoff might make her seem difficult to some producers, but said it was a career compromise she was willing to make at 38, having already reached several milestones.Deepika was initially in talks to star in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit, but later exited the project. Reports suggest her departure stemmed from creative and contractual differences with the filmmaker. Among her reported conditions were an eight-hour workday, the option not to deliver her lines in Telugu, and a share in the film’s profits. Following her exit, Triptii Dimri was brought on board to replace her.Meanwhile, Soha Ali Khan was last seen in Chhorii 2, a horror thriller directed by Vishal Furia. Starring alongside Gashmeer Mahajani and Nushrratt Bharuccha, Soha took on the eerie role of an evil daasi—a performance that earned her praise for its intensity.