June 7, 2025 - After Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film Spirit, a new discussion has started about the eight-hour work shift. Deepika, who became a mother last year, had reportedly asked for an eight-hour shift to work on Spirit, but the director refused her request. At the same time, Radhika Apte, who also became a mother last year, said the film industry is not supportive of working mothers.

Filmmakers have different opinions on this matter.

'All Needs Must Be Considered'

OMG 2 director Amit Rai said that every industry has its own rules. Workers get facilities based on that. So why not call films a business too? Today someone is asking for an eight-hour shift, but what about other needs?

He said, “If you are a hero or heroine, many people work with you. Can they get everything ready in five minutes? Then the lightman may say he is not feeling well. This is a creative field, and no one is forced to work here. We can talk about safety and respect for women at the workplace, but we also need to talk about giving proper clothes and shoes to lightmen and sets staff.”

He added, “I never go on set thinking about when it will end. A lot of money goes into making one scene. What if we are ready to shoot a helicopter hitting a mountain, and suddenly someone says the shift is over? Should we spend all that money again tomorrow? If we only give eight hours, the actual shooting time will be just four hours. The rest goes in lighting, dressing and setup. So we should think about everyone who works behind the scenes.”

'Professional Mindset'

Actor and casting director Abhishek Banerjee said, “When 500 people are working on a film set, we must be professional. The schedule should be planned. Even though the shift may be 12 hours, no one works all 12 hours without breaks.”

He added, “If an actor feels the shift is not practical, they can talk about it. The co-director should respect the artist’s time. I don’t ask how long I’ll work. I follow the 12-hour shift rule. I believe work should not go beyond that because the mind stops working. It also depends on who you are working with and their needs.”

'Good Coordination Important'

Gaurav Dhingra, producer and writer of Stolen and Angry Indian Goddesses, said, “Women’s comfort should be a priority. I always make sure of that on my sets. Honestly, most actors don’t care much about time. They just want to make a good film - whether it takes 8, 10, or 12 hours.”

He also said, “The crew size and film setup matter, too. We try to keep a balance. But sometimes you need day or evening shots, and you can’t always limit to fixed hours. It’s not about gender. On the Stolen set, one actor had to leave for another shoot, so we paused the shooting for two days and managed other work. If someone is sick, we adjust the schedule too.”

'Demand is Fair'

Actor Ajay Devgn supported the eight-hour shift. He said, “Many honest filmmakers already follow this. Some work 8-9 hour shifts. I think it depends on the person. Nowadays, most people in the industry understand this and support it.”