Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone recently quit Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming movie Spirit reportedly due to conflicts about working hours. Reports say that Vanga rejected Padukone’s demands, including an 8-hour work shift, a share in the film’s profits and her reluctance to deliver dialogues in Telugu.
In a recent interview with Lallantop Cinema, actor and producer Rana Daggubati offered his views on the issue, emphasising that work-life balance in filmmaking is highly subjective and varies by individual, project, and regional industry practices.
“It depends on the project, the person, and the region. In Maharashtra, it’s a 12-hour shift, while in Telugu cinema typically has an 8-hour shift starting at 7 am. Everyone has a certain mentality, and the city also gives to certain things,” Daggubati said. “You are seeing it as a generic statement – it is not. If you have to shoot on a set, it depends on how much prep you need. There are films taking place on a big spectacle where only two shoots take place in a day.”
Drawing a comparison to broader industry discussions, Rana referenced Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy’s controversial remarks about a 12-hour workday, pointing out that work-life balance debates are not unique to cinema.
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“Filmmaking is not work for me, but a lifestyle,” he said addressing the pressures actors face during long shoots. “Nobody is forcing anybody. It’s a job. You can’t be forced to do a job. Everyone has their own opinion on what’s important to them in their life. There are actors who only work four hours a day – that’s their system of working. They end up doing more than what a guy in 8 hours does. It’s different for everybody, and it’s not a general discussion.”
Deepika Padukone has recently joined forces with Allu Arjun for an upcoming Telugu film directed by Atlee. Meanwhile, Rana Daggubati is preparing for the release of the second season of his Netflix series Rana Naidu, set to premiere on June 13. The action-packed show also stars Venkatesh Daggubati, Arjun Rampal, Surveen Chawla, Kriti Kharbanda, Sushant Singh, Abhishek Banerjee and Dino Morea.
ALSO SEE: Netizens Slam Sandeep Reddy Vanga, After Atlee Introduces Deepika As His Leading Lady: ‘Ab Akele Baith Ke Rothe’
