In an business that has lengthy prided itself on its unpredictability, relentless tempo, and obsession with “the right shot,” the very thought of a structured 8-hour capturing shift as soon as appeared laughable. Bollywood shoots are infamous for his or her sprawling hours, delayed schedules, and spontaneous bursts of genius that strike at 3 a.m. quite than 3 p.m. However that norm is now being questioned.The flashpoint got here when Deepika Padukone walked out of Prabhas starrer Spirit, a movie by Kabir Singh and Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, as a consequence of issues over exhaustive capturing schedules. With motherhood now an integral a part of her life, the choice wasn’t simply private—it was symbolic of a generational shift.This ETimes function dives into the center of that query — asking not simply whether or not 8-hour shifts are possible, however whether or not they’re obligatory for the well being and way forward for Indian cinema. From ‘grind tradition’ to ‘deliberate creativity’
The old-school delight in overwork — actors boasting about hopping between three units a day, crew members sleeping in vans, and evening shifts that final till dawn — is more and more being seen not as dedication, however as dysfunction.Producer Anand Pandit believes it is excessive time Bollywood sheds its previous pores and skin. “We’re well past the period when stars used to work in a number of shifts and endure burnout,” he says. “It’s wholesome to work smarter than longer. Akshay Kumar, as an example, is understood to work in well-managed, crisp shifts and this can be a apply that’s catching on.”Pandit additionally factors out that immediately’s actors—notably youthful ones—are much more vocal about boundaries, self-care, and psychological well being than their predecessors. “Every actor will reply in another way. There isn’t any single rulebook, and that’s a great factor. The truth that we’re even having this dialog is progress,” he provides.Cash, momentum, and the parable of extra hours
One of many central arguments in opposition to shorter shifts is financial. Extra days on set imply extra rental prices, crew bills, and time-sensitive logistics. “Sure, fewer hours usually imply extra shoot days, which may enhance budgets,” Pandit admits. “Nevertheless, with tighter scheduling, good pre-production, and minimal wastage, the rise in prices might be absorbed—and even offset.”Kumar Sanu, who has skilled many years of Indian movie and music manufacturing, agrees that filmmaking is time-intensive. “It takes a whole lot of time simply to arrange cameras or tweak the lighting. However actors and administrators must be searching for one another. Deepika being a brand new mother—her issues are legitimate. Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s inventive course of is legitimate too. Each are proper in their very own methods.”He provides, “Price range and time allotted can put strain on the inventive group, however we additionally should see that there have been actually good and satisfying motion pictures and actually dangerous motion pictures made in the identical time as one another. Creativity is within the thoughts of the filmmaking crew. Placing a quantity to it doesn’t make any sense. It’s depending on the inventive group and the way a lot time they want. If we make a sure quantity an business commonplace, it’d have an effect on some and it may not have an effect on others. Slandering or bashing actors or administrators will not be the way in which to deal with this debate.”Creativity, Sanu factors out, doesn’t obey the clock. “Some superb movies have been made in brief spans, and a few flops took ceaselessly. I recorded Kuch Na Kaho in 9 minutes—it was a rehearsal—but it surely grew to become a superhit. Time will not be the deciding issue—mindset and preparedness are.”“The actors are pampered — it’s the crew we overlook”
Director Rahul Dholakia introduces a vital layer to the dialogue—the unseen, unheard crew.“The sunshine males, spot boys, manufacturing workers—they’re the primary to reach and the final to go away,” he stresses. “Their name occasions are a minimum of an hour earlier than others, and typically two hours sooner than lead actors. If we shorten shifts with out recalibrating for them, they’re those who are suffering most.”Dholakia recommends a 10-hour shift mannequin—with 8 hours of capturing and a 2-hour buffer. “Lunch breaks in India aren’t fast. Individuals want their nashta, their chai. That eats into time. So manufacturing has to compensate for that if we’re severe about shorter shifts.”He additionally advocates for correct turnaround time. “If you happen to wrap late, you want a minimum of 10 hours earlier than the following day’s name time. Sadly, solely top-tier expertise will get that luxurious proper now.”Effectivity fashions from the South and pastA number of voices reward South Indian industries for his or her self-discipline and professionalism. “I’ve labored in nearly each regional business and everyone has a unique working type. I imagine the South-Indian industries are much less wasteful with time and sources. Everybody works with a sure self-discipline and everyone’s time is revered. I can not communicate for Hollywood, however from what I’ve gathered, it’s also a really well-structured business,” says Pandit.Singer Kumar Sanu factors to punctuality and preparedness as the true manufacturing mannequin to emulate. “Amitabh Bachchan was identified for at all times being on time and coming ready. That’s what made shoots environment friendly—not simply the hours labored.”
Commenting on work-life steadiness, Sanu stated, “Work and life steadiness is de facto necessary. With Actresses particularly after they change into moms, we must be understanding and provides them their consolation on humanity floor. There are lots of problems after changing into a mom and each lady faces various things. Motion pictures have been being made within the 50s and 60s when there was lack of comfort, however they labored round it. In immediately’s time, we’ve a lot comfort, individuals must be extra understanding now.” Psychological well being and the parable of the tireless artist
Actor and author Karan Razdan, who’s at present engaged on Rajni 2.0, presents a lived expertise of inventive burnout. “Creativity really and actually lasts for a most of 8 hours. That is true not solely on the set as an actor or director but it surely applies to all the opposite technicians additionally. Infact having been a author, actor and director let me inform you that even the author’s true inventive time is restricted to just some hours. Now that I’ve began once more in Rajni 2.0 (the sequel of my hit present Rajni) i really feel extraordinarily burnt out after 8-9 hours as an actor. And naturally have at all times felt it as a director too.” Having straddled a number of roles within the business, Razdan believes that shorter shifts may really improve creative output. “If these 8 hours are devoted and targeted, the outcomes might be marvellous. Price range-wise too, it gained’t impression issues an excessive amount of.”For director Mozez Singh, it boils all the way down to steadiness—between life and work, coronary heart and hustle. “It’s actually necessary to have a work-life steadiness as a result of it’s life itself that feeds the work. And correct relaxation is the most important gas for productiveness.”He provides, “Actors have tasks outdoors the set—younger youngsters, ageing mother and father, emotional well being. These aren’t afterthoughts. They have to be a part of our scheduling discussions.”The concern of the unknownNonetheless, not everybody is able to bounce in. Whereas many acknowledge the advantages, there’s concern that inflexible shifts may stifle spontaneity or drive up prices.Sanu believes that an 8-hour shift would negatively impression the business economically for individuals who work on hourly foundation or shift foundation, until somebody has one in all contract then it’s constructive for them. Pandit echoes the sentiment: “Flexibility is essential. For climax scenes or advanced setups, longer days are wanted—and that must be okay if deliberate upfront.”A hybrid path ahead?
Almost all stakeholders appear to agree on one resolution: hybrid fashions. A mixture of shorter and longer days, relying on the scene, funds, and solid necessities.“Sure, I may see that work,” Mozez Singh says. “Give extra hours to high-stakes scenes, however in any other case maintain to 8-hour norms. That’s the one approach to be honest to each the artwork and the artist.”On the human facet of the controversy, Rahul Dholakia shares a telling anecdote: “On one movie, my actor requested that he work 10 hours on set and wrap by 7 or 8 pm so he could possibly be in time to see his youngsters earlier than they slept. That’s honest — we’ve to honor that.”However to make this all potential, the Raees director says, the business should make investments extra time earlier than the digital camera begins rolling: “A number of how we shoot is organized — however quite a bit might be mounted. How effectively we try this relies upon solely on one factor: planning.”Kumar Sanu presents a remaining notice of pragmatism: “If we rotate shifts effectively, it’d even create extra job alternatives. But it surely have to be applied thoughtfully—with out hurting the each day employees.”A time for reflectionThe 8-hour shift debate isn’t about hours alone. It’s about respect—respect for time, well being, household, and creative integrity. The dialog sparked by Deepika Padukone’s departure from Spirit will not be a revolt; it’s a request for reform.As Anand Pandit aptly places it: “Once we work smarter, we don’t should work longer.”In the long run, Bollywood might not be prepared for a time clock, however it’s positively prepared for a reset.