Mani Ratnam Interview | Mani Ratnam On Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga Row: "Her Ask Is Fair"

Mani Ratnam Interview | Mani Ratnam On Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga Row: "Her Ask Is Fair" Legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam has thrown his weight behind calls for improved work-life balance in the Indian film industry, specifically endorsing actress Deepika Padukone's reported demand for an eight-hour work shift. Speaking to NDTV during an interview about his film Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan, Ratnam addressed the challenges faced by working young mothers. "It's fair if she's a young mother and needs to take care of her child, and she chooses something that will allow her to do so without any hindrance," he said emphatically. Ratnam also praised Deepika's assertiveness, "I think it's nice when women ask for what they want and get what they want. It's a very healthy sign." Ratnam's comments come days after director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, in what was seen as a jab at Deepika Padukone, accused her of being 'unprofessional'. Industry insiders said that Deepika Padukone, who was to work with Vanga on his upcoming film Spirit, had asked for eight-hour shifts so that she could spend time with her daughter, Dua. Reports mentioned that Deepika's insistence on eight-hour workdays led to Sandeep Reddy Vanga replacing her with Triptii Dimri, who he has worked with in his previous film, Animal.