Actresses Have to Work Under Strict Conditions, Says Director V. N. Aditya

Deepika Padukone is among Bollywood's biggest stars, enjoying the clout to negotiate her own working conditions. From limiting work hours to setting other professional terms, the actress is known to collaborate only with producers who agree to her requirements.

Recently, actress Kajal Aggarwal publicly supported Deepika's stand, saying she "completely stands by" her preference for an eight-hour workday, describing it as a simple and reasonable request. She emphasised that similar boundaries are normal in other professions and questioned why the film industry should be an exception. Her remarks come amid industry discussions on providing better working conditions for actors, especially new mothers, without extending workdays.

Nayanthara, too, is known for setting her own conditions, including skipping promotional events and focusing only on her work on the sets.

"Female actors have to be respected and their personal lives should also be taken into account," says director V N Aditya. He believes women have long been deprived of equal opportunities in the film industry.

"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?" he asks.

He says male stars enjoy several privileges, while heroines continue to face restrictions imposed by producers and directors. "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 says.

Aditya also points to pay disparity and the physical challenges faced by actresses. "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," he says.

He adds that heroines are replaced much faster than male actors for various reasons. "An actress's life in the industry is tough and restricted by many factors. She cannot openly express her thoughts. Deepika Padukone has the stature to seek better work rules after motherhood, yet she was blamed and trolled. That is unfair," he says.

Speaking about the current generation of Telugu actresses such as Meenakshi Chaudhary, Sreeleela, Mrunal Thakur, Kayadu Lohar and Bhagyashri Borse, Aditya says they are all in demand but have little bargaining power.

"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 points out.

He says actresses like Savitri, Vijayashanti, Anushka Shetty and Samantha have proved that women can pull audiences to theatres just like male stars.

"These actresses became torchbearers of women-centric cinema, but they do not get such opportunities regularly. That is the unfortunate reality," he concludes.