Movies, money, motherhood: Why can't Bollywood's women have it all?
It's unusual for the film industry to debate what kind of support a new mother needs or the importance of work-life balance. However, the recent controversy over actor Deepika Padukone's exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's next film, Spirit, as well as a series of comments and observations made by different celebrities on working hours, has put the spotlight on issues that are often brushed under the carpet.
It has been almost three weeks since Padukone, one of India's top stars, reportedly walked out of Spirit because her demand for a paycheck of Rs 20 crore (some reports say Rs 25 crore), a cut of the profits, and, most significantly, an eight-hour shift was allegedly not met. Earlier reports of her joining the Spirit cast and commanding an astronomical fee were projected as a 'hurrah moment' for Padukone, personally, as well as more broadly, for the film industry, where a huge gender-based pay disparity is the norm.
In a rapid turn of events, Padukone, who was hailed as a 'game-changer', was obliquely referred to as a 'frustrated cat' by Vanga in his now-viral tweet. The dispute has, as expected, drawn polarised reactions, with the actor being both trolled and lauded for her demands. Any support expressed by Padukone's colleagues has either been storified or widely shared on social media platforms. Inadvertently, the episode marks a rare moment when the requirements and choices of a working mother become industry talking points. In a welcome change, the discourse acknowledges Padukone's demand for high remuneration, instead of merely questioning her commercial value.
These exchanges indicate that perceptions about women stars — their demands and their status — have shifted. Director Kabir Khan, while speaking to Movified, asked that when top male actors like Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar work an eight-hour shift, why couldn't the same provision be extended to Padukone? Commenting on the high remuneration that she was supposedly charging, he said 'Deepika consistently pulls crowds, so she rightly commands the fee she does.' Actor Neha Dhupia too posted: 'For work-life balance to go beyond conversations, new moms need practical support and consideration. Instead, we often get shamed or sidelined.'
It is no secret that, thanks to an entrenched patriarchal mindset and sexist practices in the film industry, marriage was seen as a career setback for female stars, weakening their star power. Motherhood is the other dreaded M-word, long perceived as substantially reducing the value of female stars who are under constant pressure to be 'objects of desire'.
Popular stars such as Sridevi and Kajol either slowed down or shifted their focus away from movies for some years after embracing motherhood. Actor Kiara Advani, who showed off her baby bump at her MET Gala debut last month, had earlier bowed out of Farhan Akhtar's next directorial outing Don 3, making way for Sharvari Wagh to star opposite Ranveer Singh.
Yet, change has been building, one woman at a time. Years ago, Kareena Kapoor made the refreshing choice to not hide her 'live-in' relationship with Saif Ali Khan or her pregnancies. She normalised these developments as a part of her life and career trajectory. So did Alia Bhatt, who worked through her pregnancy, and promoted Brahmastra: Part One – Shiva (2022) sporting an outfit with the words 'Baby on Board' written on the back. Padukone, too, shot for Kalki 2898 AD and promoted it during her pregnancy, notwithstanding the constant trolling that she was 'faking her pregnancy'.
While Padukone has not addressed speculation about her fallout with Vanga, she has hinted at her stand on this issue. Having earlier stated that she would raise her daughter Dua herself, the actor told Vogue Arabia, following the Spirit controversy, 'Whenever I'm faced with complicated or difficult situations, to be able to listen to my inner voice and just stand by decisions that really give me a lot of peace is when I feel most in equilibrium.' This was followed by a slick video shared on Instagram on June 7 which revealed that Padukone will play a fierce warrior in an Atlee-directed project, titled 'AA22 x A6'. The message of the video was loud and clear: 'The Queen marches to conquer,' said the caption.
In a highly competitive industry, retaining status and star-power, without sacrificing personal priorities, requires constant hustle. By sticking to her guns, Padukone sends out a strong message about claiming what she is worth even as she remains a hand-on mother. This, more than commanding a hefty fee for acting in Vanga's project, is likely to be the real 'game-changing moment'.
alaka.sahani@expressindia.com
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