Work Hours Debate: Directors Take a Different Stand

Of late, there has been a lot of debate around work culture in Indian film industry, especially in Bollywood, after top league heroine Deepika Padukone raised a red flag over the existing norms and wanted enforcement of strict eight hours schedule so as to ensure proper work-life balance for actors. Her stance triggered a wave of opinions from several artists in different film industries. While some rallied behind Deepika, other differed with her on this matter. 

Now, some Tollywood directors also weighed in a different perspective from what Deepika Padukone and her supporters insisted regarding work hours. During the roundtable discussion with Gulte, Telugu directors like Chandoo Mondeti, Sailesh Kolanu and Anil Ravipudi felt that there is no need to overblow the discussion because working beyond the stipulated time has many takeaways with people benefitting from extended schedules. 

Chandoo Mondeti observed that working for more hours will give extra remuneration for the crew working on the film because they are paid on hourly basis unlike actors, directors and other key technicians. Anil Ravipudi also pointed out how the budget on production can be minimised if the cast and crew puts in that extra effort to work beyond the prescribed call sheets and complete the shooting formalities on time as per the schedule. 

Shailash Kolanu spoke about the creative advantage while working for additional hours. He said that there is nothing wrong working outside the scheduled hours so that the director and artists can continue the same creative high to wrap a particular episode for the film. 

It seems like actors and directors have contrasting opinions on work culture in every film industry. While some actors are insisting a strict adherence to proper timings, directors appear to be not worried much to go an extra mile for the overall well being of film industry.