A wave of conversations around work-life balance is sweeping across industries following reports that Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone exited director Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film over her request for an eight-hour workday, a higher paycheck, and refusal to dub Telugu dialogues — a move that’s resonating far beyond film studios.
The incident has reignited a global discussion on working hours, especially in an era still adjusting to hybrid work post-Covid. Padukone, now a new mother, has reportedly emphasized the need for personal time, asking, “How are you going to put energy back to work if you don’t go back home to replenish?”
The idea of the traditional eight-hour shift is gaining ground again. According to the World Health Organisation, working more than 55 hours a week increases the risk of stroke by 35% and heart disease by 17%. That data is fueling support for more structured workdays across social media.
“I believe what we’re witnessing is a reset,” says Amrita Kumar, VP of marketing at Isprava, Mumbai. “The glorification of hustle is fading. People are now choosing boundaries and structure — not just for productivity but for mental well-being.”
Influencer Harpreeth Suri echoes this sentiment: “Leaving the corporate world gave me freedom. Slow life culture helped me rediscover joy and redefine success. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor anymore.”
The Gen Z workforce is also pushing change. Their demand for balance is nudging companies toward transparent, human-first policies. A global Randstad Workmonitor survey revealed that 48% would quit if a job hindered their personal lives, while over 57% would reject offers that compromise balance.
Yet not all sectors can switch off at 5 p.m. Archana Jain, CEO of PR Pundit Havas Red, notes, “Our industry depends on agility and real-time engagement. But we’ve introduced hybrid schedules, digital detox weekends, and mental health check-ins to keep teams supported.”
As conversations on balance intensify, the focus is shifting from glorifying overwork to designing sustainable workplace cultures. The new work mantra? Flexibility with empathy. As Kumar puts it, “The appeal of nine-to-five lies in its simplicity: show up, work, switch off — and truly live.”
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