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Ishaan Khatter Calls for Considerate Work Schedules in Bollywood
18 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Ishaan Khatter shares views on 8-hour work shift debate
- Deepika Padukone walked out of film over limited hours request
- Industry figures support flexible hours for actors
As of October 18th, 2025, the debate around the 8-hour work shift in Bollywood continues to gain traction. Recently, at the NDTV World Summit 2025, actor Ishaan Khatter shared his thoughts on this issue.
Khatter acknowledged that he has been on sets where the protocol of time has been "abused," and he believes this is an important conversation to have. He emphasized the need for consideration towards actors, stating that while it is a "privileged position" to demand limited working hours, the industry should be more accommodating of this.
The discussion was reignited last month when reports surfaced that Deepika Padukone had been dropped from the film Spirit, starring Prabhas, due to her requests for an 8-hour shift, a high fee, and a share in the film's profits. As a new mother, Padukone is reportedly seeking to strike a better work-life balance.
Several industry figures, including actors Vikrant Massey and Rashmika Mandanna, as well as director Anurag Basu, have expressed support for Padukone's stance and the idea of flexible working hours in Bollywood. Meanwhile, Padukone has begun filming her sixth collaboration with Shah Rukh Khan, the upcoming film King.
