Filmmaker Backs Deepika: Actors Need Balanced Schedules

Filmmaker Indrajit Lankesh has voiced strong support for Deepika Padukone's recent demand for an eight-hour workday within the film industry. Lankesh highlighted the necessity of structured working hours, with a particular emphasis on accommodating the needs of working mothers.

Speaking on a podcast, Lankesh explained that actors, unlike those behind the camera, cannot work extended hours without showing fatigue. He suggested that filmmakers should plan schedules more effectively to allow for breaks, especially for mothers who need to balance childcare responsibilities with their professional commitments.

Lankesh further lauded Padukone for her advocacy, stating that her stance benefits all artists in the industry. He argued that the intense physical and mental demands of acting, where performers are constantly in front of the camera, warrant shorter workdays. He proposed that six to seven hours might be more appropriate, contrasting it with the standard eight-hour corporate workday.

This endorsement from Lankesh adds significant weight to the growing conversation about improving working conditions and work-life balance for actors, particularly women, in cinema. The discussion underscores a move towards more sustainable and healthier practices within the film fraternity.