The conversation around implementing fixed working hours in Indian cinema has intensified. This follows industry reports that actor Deepika Padukone stepped away from projects like Spirit and Kalki 2898 AD after requesting a strict 8-hour workday. The topic has now drawn frank reactions from prominent actors and a producer, highlighting the deep-rooted clash between corporate-style schedules and the unpredictable nature of film production.
Dulquer Salmaan's Culture Shock and Producer's Reality
In a recent interview, actor-producer Dulquer Salmaan recalled his initial surprise when he experienced different work cultures across film industries. He described the Malayalam film industry's pattern as gruelling and open-ended. However, his first Telugu film, 2018's Mahanati, presented a stark contrast.
"It was the first time in my acting career that by six I could go home," he shared, noting it was different from Tamil shoots where second Sundays are typically off. While he once envisioned bringing change as a producer, Dulquer admitted the financial pressures are a significant hurdle. "Going extra hours on a day is cheaper than shooting an additional day," he stated, acknowledging that economic realities often override intentions for reform.
Financial Realities and Creative Demands Take Center Stage
Producer Archana Kalpathi firmly supported the view that a standard 9-to-5 approach is "not possible" in filmmaking. She pointed to the immense financial constraints, especially for mega-budget films where interest costs pile up rapidly, forcing crews to shoot on holidays to control budgets. Kalpathi did note that OTT platforms have introduced some discipline by enforcing strict delivery deadlines.
Actor Rana Daggubati offered a blunt perspective, initially laughing off the idea of an 8-hour shift. "This is not a job, it's a lifestyle," he asserted. He explained that filmmaking is not akin to factory work where output is guaranteed within a fixed timeframe. "Each film will govern and ask for something else... It's not like we sit for eight hours and the best scene is going to come out," Rana said, echoing a sentiment shared by many technicians about creative processes dictating schedules.
Collaborations and the Road Ahead
Interestingly, Rana Daggubati and Dulquer Salmaan recently collaborated as co-producers and stars for the film Kaantha, which received positive reviews despite underperforming commercially. Looking forward, Dulquer has Telugu project Aakasamlo Oka Tara and Malayalam film I'm Game in the pipeline. Rana is gearing up for his next Tamil release, Parasakthi.
The debate, ignited by a top star's demand, has peeled back the curtain on the fundamental tensions between evolving workplace norms and the traditional, fluid structure of film production in India. It underscores a growing demand for systemic change, even as industry veterans cite financial and creative imperatives that resist a corporate clock-in, clock-out model.
