India's film industry is facing growing debate over its long-standing culture of demanding work schedules, as actors and filmmakers weigh in on proposals to limit shooting days to eight hours.
The discussion gained momentum after reports emerged that leading Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone stepped away from a major film project last year after requesting shorter working hours following the birth of her child. The incident has reignited conversations around work-life balance and working conditions within the industry.
For decades, Bollywood has been synonymous with gruelling production schedules, with actors and crew members often working shifts ranging from 12 to 18 hours. In some cases, filming has reportedly continued for more than 24 hours during intensive productions.
Supporters of shorter workdays argue that the current system is outdated and places unnecessary strain on workers, particularly women, who are often criticised for setting professional boundaries.
Several prominent actors, including Suniel Shetty, Kajol and Ram Kapoor, have voiced support for healthier working conditions. Kapoor said established actors who have achieved success in the industry should have the ability to determine how many hours they work.
However, others argue that the unpredictable nature of filmmaking makes strict eight-hour limits difficult to implement.
Actor Ali Fazal said filmmaking differs significantly from conventional office jobs, noting that production demands can vary greatly depending on the project. He pointed to action sequences and technically complex scenes as examples of situations where flexibility is often required.
Actress Chitrangda Singh shared similar concerns, highlighting factors such as adverse weather conditions and equipment malfunctions that can disrupt filming schedules and force productions to adapt.
Industry stakeholders also point to the financial realities of filmmaking. Large-scale productions often involve significant daily expenses, including location rentals, equipment, catering, security and payments for supporting cast members.
Former Cine & TV Artistes' Association official Amit Behl said halting a shoot midway through production is often not feasible, particularly when expensive locations and large crews are involved.
He cited the filming of the blockbuster Animal, claiming that one of the shooting locations reportedly cost around 2.5 million rupees (approximately $26,300) per day to rent.
Critics of the current system, however, argue that long working hours are often the result of poor planning and inefficiencies, with cast and crew bearing the burden of production delays.
Veteran filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has called for a more equitable approach, arguing that work-life balance should not be reserved only for top actors but should extend to everyone involved in a production.
The debate has also drawn attention to disparities within the industry, where junior artistes and technical crew members often have limited bargaining power compared to established stars.
While some believe the conversation signals a shift towards more progressive workplace standards in Bollywood, others maintain that long hours remain an unavoidable part of filmmaking.
Behl recalled instances where Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan worked for more than 24 consecutive hours to complete scenes, despite having no obligation to do so.
He argued that complex action sequences and large-scale productions cannot always be paused and resumed as easily as office-based work.
Meanwhile, actress Madhuri Dixit suggested that working hours should remain a matter of personal choice. Reflecting on her experience filming the 2025 crime thriller Mrs Deshpande, she said lengthy shifts were common but acknowledged that performers who choose to work fewer hours should be free to do so.
As Bollywood grapples with changing workplace expectations, the industry remains divided between preserving traditional production practices and embracing reforms aimed at improving work-life balance for actors and crew alike.