Bollywood actor Genelia Deshmukh has entered the ongoing discussion around working hours in the film industry, sparked by Deepika Padukone’s request for an eight‑hour shift on the set of Spirit. Speaking in a recent Zoom interview, Genelia shared her own experience balancing motherhood and a demanding schedule. She said, “It is tough but it is not impossible. I do work for 10 hours a day, and there are days when the director asks to extend it to 11 or 12 hours. I think it’s fair but we just need time to make those adjustments. When you have a day or two where you have to overdo, it’s also an understanding and a process that needs to be done”.

Genelia emphasized that longer working days are part of filmmaking, but flexibility and communication are key: occasional extended shoots may be required — and that’s acceptable if everyone’s on the same page. Her remarks come amid heightened industry awareness of fair working conditions for mothers, following Deepika's highly publicized departure from Spirit over her eight‑hour shift demand. While figures like Ajay Devgn, Kajol, and Pankaj Tripathi have voiced support for reasonable working hours. Genelia’s stance offers a middle ground - acknowledging the challenge without ruling it out.

Genelia is currently promoting her upcoming project Sitaare Zameen Par alongside Aamir Khan, which releases in theaters on June 20.