Bollywood Stars Speak Out Against Exhausting 14-Hour Shifts and Lack of Basic Amenities on Film Sets
The ongoing conversation about long working hours and the absence of fundamental facilities on film sets continues to gain momentum, with prominent actors from the movie Toaster sharing their personal experiences. The cast, including Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra, Abhishek Banerjee, and Archana Puran Singh, has recently voiced concerns, highlighting how even essential needs are frequently neglected during production shoots.
Shifts Extend Far Beyond Scheduled Times, Says Archana Puran Singh
Archana Puran Singh emphasized that while shoots are planned for specific durations, they rarely conclude as scheduled. According to her, workdays often exceed 12 hours and can stretch to 13–14 hours, typically without adequate breaks. She criticized this practice, labeling it as a form of kanjoosi or extreme frugality.
"Even then, they expect us to extend our work hours to 13-14 hours and skip lunch breaks. This is a kind of kanjoosi only. Kanjoosi is a mentality... How can you not let the light men, who hold their equipment and stand under the sun for hours, eat? They don't have assistants like us bringing them fruits. It's terrible," she told News18.
She further noted that within the industry, certain production houses have quietly developed reputations for being particularly restrictive with food provisions. Crew members informally refer to these companies based on their stinginess, a reflection of what she believes is a deep-seated, long-standing mindset.
Basic Breaks Become Negotiable, Highlight Sanya Malhotra and Rajkummar Rao
Sanya Malhotra pointed out that in many instances, even crucial breaks such as lunch are not prioritized. Her observations underscore how the pressure to adhere to tight schedules often sacrifices basic comfort and well-being.
Rajkummar Rao echoed similar sentiments, questioning why structured breaks cannot be integrated into shoot schedules. He suggested that improved planning could easily ensure timely meals without compromising productivity or efficiency.
Abhishek Banerjee framed the issue as a broader matter of intent, noting that small decisions aimed at cost-cutting disproportionately affect the crew members working behind the scenes, exacerbating their hardships.
Debate on 8-Hour Shifts Gains Renewed Focus
The discussion around working hours had already intensified last year following reports that Deepika Padukone opted out of projects like Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD when her demand for an eight-hour workday was not met. She has previously spoken about how overwork has become normalized in the industry, advocating for more sustainable and humane working conditions.
This renewed focus from the Toaster cast adds to the growing chorus calling for systemic changes in Bollywood's work culture, emphasizing the need for better treatment of both actors and crew members.
