Rashmika Mandanna’s recent revelation has reignited Bollywood’s ongoing debate on overtime shifts and the need to have healthier boundaries. In a recent interview, the ‘Thamma’ actor revealed that she has been working nonstop and has not gotten an 8-hour sleep in ages. This comes after Deepika Padukone’s demand for an 8-hour working shift hit headlines.
Recently, producer SKN praised Rashmika Mandanna at an event for her upcoming film, 'The Girlfriend', for being the only actor who did not demand strict work hours. However, in an interview with Gulte, Mandanna claimed that it’s better to have a schedule in place, saying, “I overwork, and I am telling you it’s highly not suggestible. It’s not sustainable, don’t do it. Do what’s comfortable for you, do what is right for you, get those 8 hours, get those 9-10 hours also, because trust me, that’s going to save you later. I’ve seen a lot of these conversations recently about work hours. I’ve done both, and I’m telling you this is not worth it.”
In the same interview, she revealed that she cannot say no to her team, and that is why she sometimes ends up taking more work than she can do. “But if I could choose for myself, I would say, please don’t make us actors do that. Like offices have 9-5, let us have that. Because there’s still a family life I want to focus on, there’s still my sleep that I want to get in, and I still want to work out so that later on I’m not regretting it. I am still thinking about my future, but right now I don’t have a say because I’m taking on too much," she said.
Her statement comes weeks after Deepika Padukone made headlines for demanding an 8-hour work shift — a request that divided the internet. While some called it “unrealistic,” others hailed it as a much-needed wake-up call in an industry notorious for its demanding schedules and unrealistic expectations.
After reports of Deepika Padukone dropping from ‘Spirit’ due to her 8-hour shift demand, the actress defended her statement. In an interview with CNBC TV18, Deepika stated, “By virtue of being a woman, if that comes across as pushy or whatever, then so be it. But it is no secret that a lot of superstars, male superstars, in the Indian Film Industry, have been working for 8 hours for years, and it's never made headlines!”
She continued, “I don't want to take names now and make this into a whole thing, but it is very commonly, publicly known that a lot of male actors have been working for 8 hours a day for years. A lot of them only work for 8 hours Monday to Friday. They do not work on weekends.”
Later, Deepika’s Chhapaak co-star Vikrant Massey backed her call for fixed hours, saying she “completely deserves it.”
To understand if overworking has an impact on us, we spoke to therapist Jyoti Das, who revealed that while overworking may win deadlines, it quietly costs well-being. She said, “Based on current research, a 4-day work week with 8 hours a day with breaks is the best for employers and employees. Long work weeks result in burnout, dissatisfaction and displeasure with life, irritability, anxiety, insomnia, and significant health and lifestyle illnesses, especially about the heart and kidneys.”
She further added, "Working for long hours has significant physical and mental health impacts that have been long established. But most importantly, it strips away at the individual’s humanity, depriving them slowly of everything that makes them people.”
So, do you think Deepika’s call for an 8-hour shift is justified, or is the industry still too addicted to the grind to change?
