– By Suresh Nautiyal Greenananda
A recent development in the Hindi film industry has brought the working conditions on film sets into sharp focus. Reports indicate that actor Deepika Padukone requested an eight-hour workday and reportedly withdrew from a project when this demand was not met. Her stance has sparked a broader debate across Indian cinema about whether time-bound workdays should become the standard. While some filmmakers have backed her position, others remain skeptical, highlighting the industry’s long-standing reliance on long, unpredictable shooting schedules.
Cinema is far more than entertainment. Through a combination of image, sound, and story, it shapes values, sparks debates, and raises awareness of hidden realities. It humanizes the marginalized, celebrates cultural diversity, and catalyses social change. A single film can shift public opinion, inspire activism, and even influence policy. Because cinema reaches millions, it carries profound responsibility. When made with integrity, films promote justice, equality, and empathy. Conversely, when used to exploit emotions, glorify violence, or perpetuate stereotypes, cinema risks normalizing harm. Ethical filmmaking demonstrates that creativity and responsibility can coexist, reminding society that the stories we tell shape the world we inhabit.
Now in view of Deepika Padukone’s protest, let us scrutinise the global practices as regards the working conditions on the film sets. In several parts of the world, many film industries operate under clear regulations that define the length of a standard workday. In Hollywood, the actors’ union SAG-AFTRA enforces an eight-hour day with mandatory overtime pay and rest periods between shifts. The UK film and television sector applies similar restrictions through union agreements, using rules for “split days” and night shoots to prevent punishing schedules. Even broadcasters like the BBC have piloted reduced workdays to curb fatigue and stress. These models demonstrate that structured working hours protect personnel while sustaining high-quality production and efficiency.
In India, shooting days frequently stretch to 12–14 hours or more. Such open-ended schedules perpetuate multiple forms of exploitation. Crew members and junior artists often work unpaid overtime, as contracts rarely account for preparation, setup, or post-shoot wrap-up. Without formal overtime compensation, those with the least bargaining power—daily wagers, extras, and junior crew—shoulder the greatest burden.
The risks go beyond pay. Fatigue is a serious safety hazard on sets with heavy equipment, stunts, night driving, and physically demanding tasks. International studies show exhaustion as a key contributor to on-set accidents, and in India, where formal rest breaks are rare, the dangers are amplified. Long, unpredictable days also disproportionately affect caregivers, especially women, making it nearly impossible to balance professional and family responsibilities. While star performers may negotiate flexible schedules, the majority of freelancers cannot, reinforcing gender inequity. Chronic overwork also harms mental health, leading to burnout, anxiety, and premature exits from the profession. The absence of time-bound shifts keeps the system unsustainable and exploitative, particularly for those without the leverage of fame.
An eight-hour workday is not merely a comfort; it is essential for fairness, safety, and long-term industry sustainability. Predictable schedules allow cast and crew to maintain health, care for families, and plan their lives. Mandatory rest reduces accidents, and enforceable overtime ensures fair pay. Humane working conditions also strengthen workforce retention, which benefits the industry creatively and professionally.
Producers often argue that the economics of filmmaking, especially in regional industries, cannot absorb the cost of shorter workdays and overtime premiums. Smaller industries in the south, east, and northeast operate on limited budgets, and directors cite artistic needs such as continuity for night or outdoor shoots.
These concerns are real but not insurmountable. Other countries have overcome similar challenges through disciplined preproduction, detailed shot lists, efficient rehearsal processes, and careful scheduling to reduce wasted time on set. Indian regional industries could adopt a phased approach, starting with ten-hour workday caps, limited overtime premiums, and gradually tightening regulations as budgets and planning improve. Voluntary producer charters or collective agreements could set baseline standards, offering protection without undermining financial feasibility.
To institutionalise fair practices, production agreements could include: (q) Standard workday not exceeding eight hours, extendable to ten with written consent. (b) Hours beyond the standard day paid at 1.5 times for the first two extra hours and twice the rate thereafter, not exceeding four additional hours. (c) Maximum 48 hours per week; no more than six consecutive workdays without rest. (d) One-hour meal breaks after five hours, plus short breaks every two hours. (e) Minimum ten hours between shifts; twelve hours following night shoots. (f) Travel beyond 50 km counts as working hours. (g) Workers must not be required to operate under fatigue-related hazards; safe transport provided for late finishes. (h) Workday may extend to ten hours with consent, maintaining overtime and rest protections. (i) Violations entitle workers to grievance redressal, recovery of overtime, or withdrawal without penalty.
The Deepika Padukone episode has done more than make headlines; it has highlighted systemic challenges in Indian cinema. International experiences show that humane work hours are both possible and beneficial. India need not adopt foreign models wholesale but can adapt core principles: enforceable workday caps, fair overtime, mandatory rest, and careful production planning. Even modest reforms in regional industries can curb the worst excesses of overwork.
If nothing changes, endless shooting days will continue to erode health, dignity, and workforce sustainability. But with commitment, an eight-hour—or reasonably capped—workday could mark the start of a more equitable, professional, and ethical era in Indian cinema.
