Alia Bhatt has voiced a quiet but powerful nod of support for Deepika Padukone amid the latter’s recent advocacy on mental health and work-life balance. When Deepika’s demand for a more humane, eight-hour workday, especially after becoming a mother, became a flashpoint, Alia’s reaction underscored an important solidarity between the two actresses.
Deepika’s public stand sparked widespread conversation: she argued that long shooting hours are not a badge of honour, but rather a symptom of a broken system that often ignores mental health. She said, “In the Indian film industry, there are a lot of male actors working eight-hour shifts for years … Why is it difficult when women ask for the same?” Her remarks reflect her broader belief that burnout is frequently mistaken for commitment, and she told the media that she’s “advocating for work ethics as the environment in the industry is brutal.”
Alia’s response has been empathetic and grounded. Known for her own openness about mental health — she shared recently that she attends therapy weekly to face her fears and untangle her emotions — she appreciates Deepika’s courage to speak up. According to reports, Alia has liked social media posts that praise Deepika for using her platform to normalize these vital conversations.
For Alia, this isn’t just performative support. She knows firsthand the pressures of balancing a highly visible career, therapy sessions, and motherhood — she has called her mental health journey “a daily work in progress.” By aligning herself with Deepika’s views, Alia seems to be highlighting the need for systemic change, not just individual action.
Critics may argue that work-hour reform is a luxury that only top stars can afford, but Alia’s agreement with Deepika challenges that narrative. When Deepika began speaking out, some dismissed it as a privileged gripe. Alia’s backing — rooted in her own emotional transparency — reframes it: mental well-being and professional respect should not be privileges, but basics.
Also Read: Deepika Padukone Fires Back At 8-Hour Shift Row: ‘We Mistake Burnout For Commitment’
This moment also feels generational. Deepika has long been at the forefront of mental health advocacy, having opened up about her struggles publicly and founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation . Alia, a younger star, has carried that conversation forward, not merely echoing it but living it in her own way — through therapy, motherhood and creative work.
Their combined voices are starting to nudge the industry. As more actors like Deepika and Alia raise their voices, the conversation about humane working conditions and emotional wellness may shift from isolated interviews to real, structural change.
In a world that often equates hustle with heroism, their alliance speaks volumes: rest, mental health and balance are not counter-productive. Sometimes, asking to be human on set is the bravest scene anyone can perform.