When Deepika Padukone publicly raised the question of 12-hour (or longer) workdays in Bollywood, remarking that many male superstars have adhered to eight-hour shifts for years without media mention, she didn’t just make headlines. She triggered a long-overdue debate about workplace culture, gender bias, and the normalisation of exhaustion in India’s film industry.
Deepika's statement, which came shortly after returning to work post motherhood, highlighted the intense physical and emotional demands of her profession. The actor's statement has acted as a reality check, and quickly spiralled into one of the industry’s most polarising discussions lately.
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As moviegoers, we are often unaware of the immense labour and effort that go into bringing it successfully to the big screen. While the realities of working conditions remain largely hidden from audiences, several industry insiders have recently shared their personal experiences and perspectives amid the ongoing debate.
Veteran actor Himani Shivpuri, who has been a part of iconic fi
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