Actor Keerthy Suresh has voiced strong support for Deepika Padukone’s call for regulated 8-hour work shifts in the Indian film industry, amid rising concerns about overwork and health issues affecting actors and technicians. Speaking during promotions of her upcoming film Revolver Rita in Hyderabad, Keerthy opened up about the demanding schedules she has endured through her career and highlighted why an industry-wide shift is necessary.
The discussion around work hours intensified after reports emerged of Deepika Padukone opting out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD sequel, reportedly due to concerns over long working hours. Keerthy’s remarks have added weight to the ongoing conversation about work-life balance in cinema.
Keerthy Suresh describes a typical day for actors
Keerthy shared that actors frequently work beyond the standard 8–12 hour window, with schedules stretching from early morning to past midnight. Recalling some of her toughest phases, she said she once shot for Mahanati while simultaneously working on five other films, leading to extremely long and exhausting shifts.
“For a 9 o’clock shift, if I have to be there by 7:30 AM, I have to start from home at 6:30 AM and wake up by 5:30 AM,” she explained. “By the time you finish shoot, travel back home, work out, and wind down, it’s already 11 PM. Then you have to wake up again at 5:30 AM.”
She emphasised that the cycle leaves actors with barely six hours of sleep — and that too only on an ideal day.
Why 8-hour shifts matter for technicians
Keerthy stressed that technicians have it even harder. Unlike actors who arrive slightly later, technicians such as lightmen reach sets much earlier and pack up much later, often working 12–16 hour stretches.
“In Malayalam and Hindi, they work for 12 hours or more. In Malayalam cinema, they even work without breaks in continuous schedules,” she noted. “Some technicians sleep only 3–4 hours, while lightmen sometimes sleep just 2–3 hours. Sleep is as important as food or exercise.”
She added that while Tamil and Telugu industries typically follow a 9–6 structure, other industries lag behind in adopting healthier timeframes, resulting in chronic fatigue and preventable health complications.
Growing support across the industry
Keerthy’s comments follow similar statements by actor Rashmika Mandanna, who recently urged the industry to adopt consistent and healthier work hours while promoting The Girlfriend. Many actors have quietly voiced similar concerns, but the recent exits and public discussions have brought the issue into the spotlight.
The conversation has also resonated with fans and industry workers online, who argue that structured working hours could vastly improve the well-being of everyone involved in film production.
A shift the industry can no longer avoid?
With multiple leading actors backing the idea and technicians’ bodies reportedly discussing reforms, the push for regulated shifts may soon gain momentum. While the industry’s demanding nature often requires flexibility, many believe that standardising working hours will lead to improved productivity, healthier environments, and better creative outcomes.
As conversations continue, Keerthy’s candid insights have added urgency to a long-standing issue, underlining the need for sustainable working practices in Indian cinema.