Veteran Actor Paintal Endorses Deepika Padukone's 8-Hour Work Shift Advocacy
Veteran actor Paintal has recently voiced strong support for Deepika Padukone's advocacy of 8-hour work shifts in the entertainment industry, while simultaneously exposing the harsh reality of 12 to 14-hour shifts that have become standard practice today. His comments have reignited the ongoing debate about working conditions for actors in both film and television sectors.
From 8-Hour Shifts to 14-Hour Marathons: A Changing Industry Landscape
Paintal, known for his memorable roles in classic films like Bawarchi (1972) and Piya Ka Ghar (1972), recalled during a recent interview how the industry has transformed over the decades. "In our old time, we used to have 8-hour shifts," he revealed, explaining that while occasional extensions occurred for practical reasons like actor unavailability or set removal, the standard remained manageable.
However, the veteran actor expressed concern about the current state of affairs. "But now, I don't know who is responsible, but they have made it a 12-hour shift in the industry," Paintal stated. He emphasized that such extended hours become physically exhausting, particularly affecting women, children, and elderly performers. While younger actors might manage temporarily, even they experience significant fatigue under these demanding schedules.
The Television Industry's Official 14-Hour Shift Reality
Paintal's most shocking revelation concerns the television industry specifically. "If I tell you the latest thing, in the television industry, the 12-hour shift has also become 14 now, that too, on paper," he disclosed. According to his account, contracts now officially document 14-hour shifts as the standard unit, with compensation locked based on these extended periods.
The actor shared his personal experience from a recent television project to illustrate the grueling reality. "I used to leave at 7am and reach by 8:30, get my makeup done and used to packed up at 10pm. After driving home, I used to reach at 11:30 and sleep by 1am, and then the same schedule again the very next day," he described, painting a vivid picture of the exhausting cycle television actors endure.
Why Actors Accept Exploitative Conditions
Paintal directly addressed why performers continue to accept these demanding conditions despite the physical and emotional toll. "Actors agree to this exploitation because work is already being offered less," he explained, highlighting the power imbalance in the industry. He noted that while established stars like Akshay Kumar can negotiate better terms, most actors lack that leverage.
"Stars can afford that, but if Paintal says that, they will ask me to sit at home," he remarked candidly, underscoring how economic pressures force many performers to accept unfavorable working conditions simply to secure employment in a competitive field.
The Creative Toll of Exhausting Schedules
The veteran actor emphasized how extended shifts negatively impact artistic quality. "After doing all this, how can you expect quality performance?" he questioned, pointing out that actors must remain physically present, emotionally available, and creatively fresh despite marathon shooting days.
Paintal explained that filmmaking represents creative work with unique demands that differ from purely physical labor. "Creative mind is not physically tiring, its mentally and emotionally tiring," he noted, suggesting that the industry's current approach fails to account for these psychological dimensions of performance.
Unwavering Support for Deepika Padukone's Position
Throughout the conversation, Paintal consistently endorsed Deepika Padukone's advocacy for reasonable working hours. "Deepika Padukone's demand is absolutely right," he affirmed, aligning himself with those calling for industry reform.
His comments come amid divided reactions within the entertainment community regarding working hour standards. While some celebrities have supported Padukone's position, others have criticized it as unrealistic for the acting profession. Paintal's perspective adds significant weight to the debate, drawing from decades of industry experience across different eras of Indian entertainment.
The veteran actor, recently seen in a brief role on the popular television show Anupamaa as Pandit Manohar Sharma, brings both historical context and current firsthand experience to this important discussion about working conditions in India's entertainment industry.
