South Indian actress Keerthy Suresh has sparked an important conversation about working conditions in the film industry, revealing that even the much-demanded eight-hour work shifts don't guarantee adequate sleep for actors and crew members.
The Reality Behind Ideal Work Hours
While promoting her upcoming film Revolver Rita in Hyderabad, the National Award-winning actress provided a detailed breakdown of an actor's daily schedule that challenges the notion that eight-hour shifts are sufficient for proper rest.
"For a 9 am shift, if I have to be there by 7:30 am, I have to start from home at 6:30 am and wake up by 5:30 am," Keerthy explained during the Hyderabad event on November 27, 2025. She detailed how after wrapping up work around 6 or 6:30 pm, the return journey home, changing clothes, exercising, and having dinner consume precious hours, leaving minimal time for sleep.
The actress emphasized that "we say eight hours of sleep is good, but we hardly get to sleep for six hours. And this is in an ideal 9-6 shift," highlighting the significant gap between recommended sleep duration and actual rest obtained.
Regional Industry Differences Exposed
Keerthy Suresh, who has extensive experience working across Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Hindi film industries, revealed striking differences in work culture between these regional cinemas.
According to her observations, the Tamil and Telugu film industries show greater receptiveness toward implementing eight-hour work shifts, particularly for actors. However, the situation appears more challenging in Hindi and Malayalam industries, where 12-hour shifts remain common practice.
The actress turned attention toward the often-overlooked film crew, specifically highlighting the extreme conditions faced by lightmen in Kerala. "Lightmen in Kerala sleep only 2-3 hours," she revealed, stressing that "sleep is just as important as food or exercise" for overall well-being and work performance.
Echoing Deepika Padukone's Advocacy
Keerthy's comments come months after Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone's strong advocacy for better working conditions in the film industry. In a 2022 interview with Film Companion, Deepika had emphasized the importance of reasonable work hours, particularly for crew members.
"If you give people enough downtime and rest, they come back with better energy. That helps them work faster and the quality of the output is far better," Deepika had argued, challenging the prevailing industry mindset that longer hours equate to faster completion.
The Padukone-led debate gained momentum after her departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit and subsequent exit from Nag Ashwin's Kalki 2898 AD. Deepika had also stressed the need for proper overtime compensation for crew members, noting that while actors receive awards and recognition, technical crew often work the longest hours without additional compensation.
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, these revelations from prominent actresses highlight the urgent need for systemic changes that prioritize health and well-being alongside creative excellence.
