'Hate Going Home & Seeing Kids Asleep': Saif Ali Khan Bats For Family Time Amid Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit Row

After Deepika Padukone reportedly quit Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit after demanding for strict shoot timings, actor Saif Ali Khan has voiced his support to prioritising family time despite busy work schedules. Citing his own example, he said that he "hates" going home to see his kids having already fallen asleep.

While speaking at the Arab Media Summit, Saif said, "I hate coming home and seeing the kids already asleep. That’s not success. Success is being able to say, ‘No, I need to go home now to catch that half hour with them'."

He went on to say, "We get four holidays a year, and when my kids are on break, I don’t work. That time is sacred. I am at that crazy age where I have to call both my mum and my children. You think it’s just your parents you have to check on — then you realise it’s both."

Explaining the definition of success in his life, Saif added, "Working is important, yes. But so is cooking pasta together, having a meal, and focusing on the kids. That’s the real glue of life. Success and privilege, for me, is being able to say no to work and yes to time with my family."

What is the Deepika Padukone-Sandeep Reddy Vanga row?

Saif's statement comes at a time when reports went viral that Deepika demanded an 8-hour shift on the sets of Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film, among other demands, and she stepped back after her demands were not met.

Later, Deepika's demands were termed "unreasonable" by some, while others lauded her for standing her ground and demanding fixed working hours to be able to spend time with her newborn baby Dua post work.

While Deepika remained silent on the entire fiasco, Vanga indirectly accused her of leaking his script. He also announced that Triptii Dimri will now play the female lead in Spirit.