Bollywood actor Kiara Advani has lent her voice to the ongoing debate on eight-hour work shifts in the film industry, echoing Deepika Padukone’s call for healthier work practices. The actor, who welcomed her daughter Saraayah with husband Sidharth Malhotra in July, said burnout benefits no one, regardless of the profession.

Speaking to Vogue India, Kiara emphasised the importance of mental well-being and balance at work. “Burnout helps no one in any industry,” she said, adding that dignity, balance and respect are the pillars of a healthy professional environment. A new outlook on tiredness has been given to the 34-year-old already, who talked about motherhood doing this. She even said that her daughter’s giggle in her sleep is her instant remedy to stress.

Kiara’s remarks arrive against the backdrop of the talking points that Deepika Padukone’s campaign has triggered, which basically calls for eight-hour workdays for new mothers. Just a couple of months back, Deepika was reportedly out of the Spirit project, partnering with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, and also of the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, due to scheduling issues. She however subsequently made it clear in an interview with CNBC TV18 that eight-hour workdays have been the norm for some male stars in the same industry for years.

Deepika contended that several top male actors work with limited schedules too, being mostly working only eight hours a day from Monday to Friday and skipping weekends. “If that comes across as pushy, so be it,” she said, underlining the need for equal acceptance of such practices for women.

Kiara, who was last seen in War 2 alongside Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR, is now gearing up for her next project, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups. The pan-India film stars Yash and Nayanthara and marks her return to the screen after embracing motherhood.