Malhotra highlighted that structured 8-hour shooting shifts aren’t a new phenomenon in Bollywood. He pointed out that actresses like Kajol and Rani Mukerji adhered to such schedules years ago—for example, Hichki was completed in 28 days with disciplined 8-hour days
He questioned the criticism around Deepika’s request, asserting, “What wrong is Deepika demanding?” It’s simply about actors prioritizing personal balance
Malhotra advised that if a production can’t align with someone’s desired schedule, they should simply choose not to collaborate, rather than criticize the actor for wanting fair hours
Drawing from the Hichki example, he emphasized that disciplined planning, coordination, and respect for everyone on set—actors and crew—can support humane and efficient schedules
The debate intensified after Deepika exited Spirit due to contractual discussions around her working hours, profit share, and other concerns
Industry veterans have chimed in: Kumar Sanu emphasized that the shift debate reflects a balance between creativity and burnout, and acknowledged that different professionals have varying needs. Meanwhile, actress Chitrangda Singh and others highlighted that it’s a personal choice and privilege to set such boundaries
Siddharth P. Malhotra reaffirms that 8-hour shooting days aren’t unprecedented in Bollywood. He urges the industry to align expectations through consistent coordination and planning. And he argues that calling out actors for setting boundaries is misplaced—if it doesn’t fit, producers should choose not to work with them.
Let me know if you’d like perspectives from other filmmakers or how this is influencing new production norms!
