Mumbai: Actor Radhika Apte has added her voice to the growing debate around work-life balance in the Hindi film industry, calling out what she described as excessively long and exhausting working hours on film sets. In a recent interview, the actor said that if she had the power to change one thing in Bollywood, it would be the way workdays are structured, revealing that she has often clashed with producers over her refusal to work prolonged shifts.
Speaking candidly to Filmfare, Radhika highlighted how deeply entrenched the culture of long working hours is in the industry and how difficult it can be to push back, especially for actors who are parents. Her remarks come at a time when conversations around humane work schedules, mental health and parental responsibilities are gaining traction in Bollywood.
“You can’t go a week without seeing your child”
Mumbai Radhika Apte, who became a parent recently, stressed that current industry expectations often leave little room for family life. She said that the assumption that actors can simply outsource parenting responsibilities reflects a lack of empathy and understanding.
“I’ll change the working hours to begin with. You can’t expect someone to go an entire week without seeing their child. I’ve had multiple conversations and arguments over refusing to do long shifts. You’ll be surprised at how much one has to fight. I find it quite baffling,” she said.
The actor also pushed back against the commonly offered solution of bringing children to film sets with nannies. “People say have a nanny and let them come on set. I’m sorry, but that’s really not the answer,” she added, underlining that being physically present around one’s child is not the same as actually spending meaningful time with them.
Drawing firm boundaries on set
Mumbai Radhika explained that over time, she has begun setting clear and non-negotiable boundaries when it comes to her work schedule, even if that has led to friction with producers and project teams. According to her, the resistance she faces when asserting these limits is indicative of how normalised overwork has become in the film industry.
“I’ve started putting my foot down and a lot of people haven’t liked it,” she said. “I can’t work beyond 12 hours. And that includes everything from travel, hair, makeup, and the shoot itself.”
She elaborated that travel time is often overlooked while calculating work hours, leading to days that stretch far beyond what is officially acknowledged. “If my travel takes two hours, then the shift has to be planned accordingly,” Radhika said, adding that while exceptions may be unavoidable in rare circumstances, they should not become the norm.
Advocating a five-day workweek
Mumbai The actor also spoke in favour of structured work routines, including weekly offs and a five-day workweek, a concept still uncommon in mainstream Bollywood productions. Radhika said such a system would not only benefit actors but also technicians and crew members who often bear the brunt of erratic schedules.
“I insist on weekly offs and ideally wouldn’t want to work more than five days a week,” she said. “Unless it is a small film where the project genuinely can’t function. I’d appreciate a five-day-a-week and a 12-hour shift.”
Her comments highlight a broader concern within the industry, where extended shooting schedules are often justified in the name of efficiency, even as they take a toll on physical and mental well-being.
A debate reignited after the Deepika Padukone episode
Mumbai The conversation around long working hours in Bollywood gained renewed momentum last year following reports involving actor Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Reports suggested that Deepika was dropped from Prabhas-starrer Spirit after her demands — which allegedly included shorter workdays, a higher fee and profit-sharing — did not align with the director’s vision.
As a new mother at the time, Deepika was reportedly attempting to balance professional commitments with her personal life, a move that drew both criticism and widespread support. The episode sparked a larger industry-wide debate on whether Bollywood’s work culture needs urgent reform.
Industry voices back healthier schedules
Mumbai Since then, several actors and filmmakers have publicly spoken in favour of more humane working conditions. Actors Vikrant Massey, Rashmika Mandanna and Yami Gautam, along with filmmaker Anurag Basu, have echoed similar concerns, arguing that creativity cannot thrive in an environment of constant exhaustion.
Many industry observers note that while international film industries increasingly adopt regulated work hours and union-backed guidelines, Bollywood continues to rely on informal systems that often prioritise speed and scale over sustainability.
A larger cultural shift needed
Mumbai Radhika Apte’s remarks underline the need for a broader cultural shift rather than isolated individual efforts. While established actors may have the leverage to negotiate better terms, younger artists and crew members often lack the bargaining power to refuse unreasonable demands.
Her insistence on defined working hours, weekly offs and a balanced schedule reflects a growing push within the industry to rethink traditional practices. As more actors speak openly about burnout, parenting challenges and mental health, pressure is mounting on producers and studios to adapt.
Conclusion
Mumbai Radhika Apte’s candid comments have added fresh momentum to an ongoing debate that Bollywood can no longer afford to ignore. By drawing firm boundaries and openly questioning outdated norms, she has highlighted the urgent need for structured, humane work practices in the film industry. Whether this growing chorus of voices leads to systemic change remains to be seen, but the conversation around work-life balance in Bollywood is clearly far from over.