Three Directors React Strongly to Deepika Padukone’s Work Hours Stand

The discussion about long working hours in the Indian film industry has become a hot topic after Deepika Padukone reportedly stepped away from Spirit, starring Prabhas.

Deepika openly spoke about the need for an eight-hour work schedule to maintain a healthy work-life balance. She stressed that actors, especially women, need proper rest time to stay physically and mentally fit. Her statement received huge support from many artists across industries. At the same time, it also triggered debates among filmmakers, especially directors who believe that filmmaking is not a fixed-timing job.

After this issue became public, several Telugu directors shared their opinions during a media discussion. Directors like Chandoo Mondeti, Sailesh Kolanu, and Anil Ravipudi spoke about why they feel long hours are sometimes necessary in cinema.

Chandoo Mondeti said that many junior artists and crew members actually earn more when shoots go beyond schedule, as they are paid on an hourly basis. He also added that actors and main technicians usually receive fixed payments, so the extra hours help supporting staff financially.

Anil Ravipudi shared another practical point. He explained that extending working hours on certain days can help finish shooting faster and reduce production costs. According to him, strict time limits may sometimes delay projects and increase budgets.

Sailesh Kolanu focused on the creative side of filmmaking. He said that when a scene is progressing well, stopping suddenly due to time limits can break the emotional flow. He believes that continuing at the right moment often helps deliver better output.

This situation clearly shows the clash between creative freedom and personal well-being. While actors want safe and balanced work conditions, directors feel flexibility is necessary for emotional and technical excellence.