Unfazed by controversy, Deepika Padukone was recently spotted at Mumbai’s Kalina airport, exuding her signature boss-lady charm. Just hours after making headlines for her bold remarks on gender inequality in Bollywood, the actress made a stylish public appearance, proving that nothing can dull her radiance.
Dressed in a chic beige co-ord set, Deepika looked effortlessly elegant as she stepped out of the General Aviation Terminal in Santacruz. With her sleek bun, oversized sunglasses, and a warm smile for the paparazzi, she made a striking impression—her first since her widely-discussed interview with CNBC-TV18.
In the interview, Deepika opened up about her decision to step away from Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD following the birth of her child. She clarified that she had simply requested an 8-hour workday, a routine long adopted by male superstars without attracting controversy. “By virtue of being a woman, if that’s coming across as being pushy, so be it,” she stated. “Male superstars have been working 8 hours for years, and it’s never made headlines.”
Deepika emphasized the persistent gender bias in the film industry and pointed out that many working mothers follow similar schedules but go unrecognized. She also called for more structure and professionalism in Bollywood, saying, “While it’s called an ‘industry,’ we’ve never really functioned like one. It’s extremely disorganized, and it’s about time we brought in proper systems and structure.”
On the work front, Deepika is set to star in King, directed by Siddharth Anand and co-starring Shah Rukh Khan and Suhana Khan. The film, which recently wrapped its Poland schedule, is slated for a 2026 release and is already generating buzz.
With confidence and clarity, Deepika continues to challenge norms and redefine stardom.