Her Rules, Her Stardom

Kajal Aggarwal’s recent endorsement of an eight-hour workday for actresses and Samantha Ruth Prabhu’s decision to step away from films once again to focus on motherhood may appear to be unrelated developments. Together, however, they reflect a quiet but significant shift in Indian cinema.

Leading actresses are no longer just choosing the roles they want to play. They are increasingly seeking greater control over how, when and on what terms they work. From setting work-hour boundaries and prioritising family to limiting promotional commitments and taking career breaks without apology, many of the industry's biggest female stars are asserting a level of professional autonomy rarely seen before.

The conversation gathered momentum when Deepika Padukone reportedly sought an eight-hour workday after embracing motherhood. While the demand initially drew criticism, Kajal has now publicly backed her, calling it a fair and reasonable expectation. “I completely stand by Deepika. It’s not an unreasonable demand. In every profession, people have fixed working hours. Why should films be any different?” Kajal said recently, reigniting the debate on workplace culture in the entertainment industry.

A source close to Kajal says the actress has always believed in striking a balance between her professional and personal life. “If her call sheet is from 9 am to 6 pm, she is willing to extend her work hours to wrap up important scenes if required. Actors need to adjust without affecting the project. Kajal has been a consummate professional for over a decade in Telugu cinema, and motherhood hasn’t changed that. She is excited about playing the female lead opposite Balakrishna and has a few more films in the pipeline,” the source says.

For many, the issue is no longer about one actress or one contract. It is about whether the film industry is finally ready to evolve. Director V N Aditya believes the criticism directed at Deepika exposed the industry’s double standards. “Female actors have to be respected and their personal lives should also be taken into account,” he says.

He points to what he calls a glaring contradiction. “When hairdressers and costume designers working with a heroine are allowed to work only eight hours under federation rules, why target and shame an actress when she asks for similar work norms?”

According to him, the imbalance extends far beyond working hours. “An actress has to remain on the set even when the hero has not arrived. The moment he turns up, she has to rush to the set from wherever she is. That is unfair.”

He also highlights the physical demands many actresses silently endure. “They perform action sequences even during their menstrual cycle. We often come to know about it through their staff because they hesitate to tell the director. They are afraid to object.”

Aditya believes actresses continue to face unequal pay, fewer opportunities and far shorter career spans than their male counterparts.

More Than Just Working Hours

The conversation extends well beyond eight-hour shifts. Nayanthara has long exercised control over her professional commitments, largely opting out of promotional events and letting her work on screen speak for itself. Samantha Ruth Prabhu has repeatedly shown that personal well-being comes before relentless productivity, first taking time away to focus on her health and now stepping back again to embrace motherhood. Several other leading actresses, including Alia Bhatt and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, have also spoken about balancing motherhood with carefully chosen projects, reflecting a growing shift towards quality over quantity.

Together, these choices reflect a changing definition of stardom, where success is measured not just by box-office numbers but by the freedom to shape one’s career on one's own terms.

Next Generation Still Waits

The shift, however, is largely confined to established stars with proven box-office appeal.

Aditya says actresses such as Meenakshi Chaudhary, Sreeleela, Mrunal Thakur, Kayadu Lohar and Bhagyashri Borse remain among the industry’s busiest names but still lack the leverage to demand better terms. “I prefer not to name individuals, but most young heroines have to follow rules made by a male-dominated film industry. While women in other professions enjoy better working norms and hours, the movie industry continues to restrict their freedom and choices,” he says.

The change may still be driven by a handful of established stars with enough clout to negotiate their own terms. But every boundary challenged today makes it easier for the next generation to do the same.

‘It’s about time our heroines spoke their mind’

Veteran film critic and author Bhawana Somaaya believes the conversation around actresses asserting workplace boundaries is long overdue. “I am happy our heroines are speaking their mind out. It is about time,” she says. Drawing from cinema’s past, she points out that negotiating work conditions is not entirely new. Veteran star Helen never worked beyond a single shift, and this was part of her contract.” Somaaya feels Deepika has brought an important issue into the spotlight. “Deepika has started a debate and I support her wholeheartedly. She knows her worth and she is expressing it. She has made her choice and now the filmmaker has to make his choice.” At the same time, she acknowledges the realities of the industry. “In show business, every time a confident heroine has stepped back and said ‘no’, there is always a lesser-known actress who will say ‘yes’. Every time it is a gamble of loss and gain. For some, like Deepika, the fight for self-worth is more important.”

Trailblazers who changed the rules

· Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Advocates work-life balance and professional autonomy.

· Alia Bhatt: Chose selective projects after embracing motherhood

· Savitri: Proved heroines could outshine male stars.

· Vijayashanti: Made women-led action films commercially viable.

· Anushka Shetty: Reinforced the power of female-led blockbusters with Arundhati.

· Deepika Padukone: Put workplace boundaries and structured work hours in the spotlight.

· Kajal Aggarwal: Backed Deepika, calling fixed work hours a fair expectation.

· Samantha Ruth Prabhu: Prioritised health and motherhood over nonstop work.

· Nayanthara: Redefined stardom by largely opting out of promotions.