The debate over long working hours and work-life balance in the film industry has intensified once again. Actress Preity Zinta, who is making a comeback to the big screen after a gap of nearly a decade, has clarified her stance on this issue.
At the trailer launch event of her upcoming action-comedy film ‘Vibe’ in Mumbai, Preity Zinta revealed that she worked for 18 hours a day during the shooting of this film.
She clarified that “everyone has their own priorities” and that she had personally chosen this long schedule to accommodate her short tour in India and to return to her children in the US sooner.
Preity Zinta revealed that she worked for 18 hours a day during the shooting of this film.
‘Worked 18 hours to return to the children’
During the trailer launch, when the media asked Preity Zinta about the long working hours on set, she explained that while shooting for long hours was certainly difficult, it was her own personal decision.
50-year-old Preity Zinta said, everyone has their own choices and needs. Of course, I worked for 18 hours because I wanted to finish my work as soon as possible and go back to my children in America.
My only focus was that I would come to India, finish my work quickly, and return immediately. I had come here for a period of 30 to 40 days. That is why I had no objection to working such long shifts.
Preity also mentioned that she performed many difficult action scenes in this film herself, which required continuous long shoots and physical exertion.
Deepika had requested an 8-hour daily work shift to maintain a balance in her life.
Deepika Padukone had demanded an 8-hour shift
This controversy regarding working hours in the film industry actually began when reports emerged about actress Deepika Padukone opting out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film ‘Spirit’ (starring Prabhas) and the sequel to ‘Kalki 2898 AD’.
Media reports claimed that after becoming a mother, Deepika had requested an 8-hour daily work shift to maintain a balance between her personal and professional life.
Due to a lack of consensus with the makers regarding working hours and fees, Deepika stepped away from these projects. Following this, a debate erupted on social media and within the industry over whether fixed working hours should be implemented in Indian cinema or not.
Deepika’s statement on male superstars
When the controversy over Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour work demand escalated, she spoke openly in an interview about the double standards prevalent in the Indian film industry.
In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Deepika said, it is no secret that many male superstars in the Indian film industry have been working only 8 hours a day for years.
They work 8 hours from Monday to Friday and do not work on weekends. But when a woman asks for an 8-hour shift for herself, it is made into a headline.
Abhishek Bachchan had mentioned that Akshay Kumar does not work more than 8 hours.
Akshay Kumar works for 8 hours
During this time, an old video of actor Abhishek Bachchan also went viral on social media, in which he was talking about Akshay Kumar’s working style on ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’. Abhishek had said that Akshay Kumar is the happiest as soon as the pack-up is announced. He does not work for more than 8 hours. He arrives on set at 7 AM and starts his work immediately.
Suniel Shetty said 18 hours of work is not productive
Actor Suniel Shetty also shared his opinion in this debate on working hours. He said that working for 12 to 18 hours on set is neither practical nor does it yield better output.
Suniel Shetty had said that it is not possible for any artist or crew member to work continuously for 12 to 18 hours. He emphasized that work-life balance, proper breaks, and adequate rest are essential for the quality of work.
Suniel Shetty had said that it is not possible for any artist or crew member to work continuously for 12 to 18 hours.
According to Suniel Shetty, working while exhausted has a negative impact on creativity, which is why there should be a professional and disciplined environment on set.
The 70-hour work week debate is not limited to Bollywood alone
This debate is not limited to Bollywood. The discussion on overworking and work-life balance across the country began after Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy advised the country’s youth to “work 70 hours a week.”
Filmmaker Ronnie Screwvala opposed Narayana Murthy’s idea, stating that merely increasing working hours does not boost productivity; rather, quality work, skills, and a better work environment are more important.
