“Filmmaking is also driven by business realities."
Bollywood’s long-standing culture of gruelling work schedules is under scrutiny as debate grows over proposals to cap shooting days at eight hours.
The discussion continues to intensify across the industry, with actors, filmmakers and crew divided over whether reform is realistic.
The issue gained momentum after Deepika Padukone reportedly exited Spirit in 2025 following a demand for shorter working hours after motherhood.
The development brought renewed focus to work-life balance in an industry known for demanding schedules.
Bollywood productions commonly run between 12 and 18 hours a day, with some shoots extending beyond 24 hours during intensive sequences. While this has long been accepted as standard practice, it is now being openly questioned.
Ram Kapoor supports greater flexibility for established performers:
“Once you have achieved success in showbiz… then, yes, you are in a position to choose how many hours you want to work.”
Others argue that strict limits are not practical in film production.
Ali Fazal said: “this is not like a corporate job”, pointing to the unpredictable demands of shooting schedules.
Chitrangda Singh said production realities make rigid working hours difficult.
She added: “Filmmaking is also driven by business realities.”
Industry costs are also a key factor. Former Cine & TV Artistes’ Association official Amit Behl said large productions face significant daily expenses.
Behl said: “The bungalow in which Animal was shot cost 25 lakh rupees ($26,300) a day rental.
“Then you have to prop it up with junior artistes, which is an additional expenditure besides catering, electricity, vanity vans and bouncers.”
Shekhar Kapur said working conditions should apply equally across all levels of production.
The filmmaker said: “Everyone (should have) the privilege to define the hours they want to work.”
Some insiders argue that long hours reflect production demands rather than policy failures, while others say inefficiency and poor planning often contribute to extended shoots.
Behl also referenced extreme working patterns in the industry:
“I have seen Shah Rukh Khan on sets working 27 hours non-stop when he had to complete a scene. He doesn’t need to do it.
“But you can’t leave a scene midway… if it is an action scene where fighters are involved, anything can happen… it is not like shutting a laptop and working for an IT company.”
Madhuri Dixit said long working days have been part of her experience, while framing the issue as a personal choice.
“We did a 12-hour shift or maybe more every day for Mrs Deshpande.”
“But if a woman wants to work (fewer) hours, that is her prerogative, her life… more power to her. To each his own, I’m a workaholic!”
The debate continues as Bollywood weighs long-established working practices against growing calls for more structured and balanced schedules.
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