Radhika Apte said about long innings in Bollywood, I have had arguments with producers
Radhika Apte has spoken out against working long hours in Bollywood, saying she has often argued with producers over her refusal to take extended shifts. The actor stressed the need for a five-day work week and 12-hour shifts, adding to the ongoing debate in the industry on work-life balance.
Radhika Apte has added her voice to the growing conversation around work-life balance in Bollywood and called out the long and tiring working hours in the film industry. In a recent interview, the actor said that she would change her working hours if given a chance, revealing that she has often had arguments with producers over her refusal to work long shifts.
talking to filmfareRadhika was candid about the challenges of pursuing shorter workdays, especially as a parent. She said, “Initially I will be changing my working hours. You can’t expect someone to go an entire week without seeing their child. I have had many conversations and debates over my refusal to work long shifts. You would be surprised how much someone has to struggle. I find it quite shocking. And people say bring a nanny and let them come on set. I’m sorry, but that’s not really the answer.”
The actress further revealed that she now has clear boundaries when it comes to her work schedule. Radhika said that she would prefer a structured work routine that allows the actors and crew to maintain a healthy balance between professional and personal life. “I’ve started putting my foot down and a lot of people don’t like that. I can’t work more than 12 hours a day. And that includes everything from travel, hair, make-up and shooting. If my travel takes two hours, shifts have to be planned accordingly. Of course, there may be exceptions but that’s not negotiable for me. I insist on weekly offs and ideally don’t want to work more than five days a week. Unless it’s a small film “Can’t really work where the project is. I would appreciate five days a week, 12-hour shifts.”
The discussion about long working hours in Bollywood gained momentum last year after reports that filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga had dropped the Prabhas-starrer Deepika Padukone. Soul. Reports suggest that Deepika’s demands – which included shorter working days, higher fees and profit-sharing – were not in line with the director’s vision. As a new mother, Deepika was reportedly trying to strike a balance between her professional commitments and personal life.
Since then, many industry figures have spoken out in support of healthy working conditions. Filmmaker Anurag Basu along with actors Vikrant Massey, Rashmika Mandanna and Yami Gautam have publicly supported Deepika and stressed the need for more humanitarian programs in the film industry.
