October 28, 2025 : Actor Rashmika Mandanna has weighed in on the ongoing discussion in the Indian film industry about set work-hours — particularly the idea of limiting actors and crew to an eight-hour workday. Her remarks come amid heightened debate following Deepika Padukone’s reported push for an 8-hour shift on a high-profile project.
Mandanna, who works across multiple film industries — Telugu, Kannada, Tamil and Hindi — explained how work-schedules vary and emphasised that the decision about working hours is best made by the film’s team together, rather than being imposed unilaterally. In an interview with Mojo Story, she said:
“Today the whole country is debating about flexible hours, but that is for discussion amongst the teams and figure out what works for them. It’s their personal choices.”
Regional differences in hours
Rashmika pointed out that in the South Indian film industries she often works “9 am to 6 pm, like it’s our office hours”. Meanwhile, in Hindi cinema she has observed 9 am to 9 pm schedules — 12-hour days.
“I do work in multiple industries … in the South – Telugu, Kannada, or Tamil, we work 9 am to 6 pm … in Hindi, I’ve realised it’s a 9 am to 9 pm shift. … I am open to both of these working hours because this is what my film requires.”
She also did not shy away from acknowledging that sometimes shoots extend far longer:
“Some films you can start 9 am to 9 pm, but they actually carries on till the next day… you’re working like 36 hours-48 hours. … There are much worse scenarios happening where you are working 2-3 days without going home.”
On the eight-hour workday idea
When pressed on the idea of a fixed eight-hour workday (as advocated by Deepika Padukone), Mandanna said she supports the idea in principle but stressed that implementation depends on the project, the film team, and the nature of work.
“If given a choice, cast and crew members should not have to work in this way (excessively). Do what is comfortable for you. Get those eight hours. Get those nine-ten hours also, because that is going to save you in the later ages.”
In her view, the film industry, by its nature, may require flexibility, but a conversation about what hours are reasonable should happen in advance:
“Every film should have that discussion … to be open to how many hours in the day they want to work.”
What this means for the industry
Mandanna’s comments underscore the complexity of standardising work-hours in the film industry. Unlike a traditional office environment, film sets often have unpredictable demands: location changes, long night shoots, complex setups, and multiple languages. She emphasises that when drafting a contract or signing onto a project, the expectations around hours should be clear.
Her perspective also aligns with growing conversations around work-life balance in Bollywood and regional cinema — especially for actors, crew members and other stakeholders facing demanding schedules. By drawing attention to both her experiences and the variation across industries, Mandanna highlights that what works for one project may not suit another.
Context of the debate
The current discussion gained traction after reports surfaced that Deepika Padukone left a project with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, allegedly due to disagreements around working hours (an “eight-hour” schedule) and other conditions. Mandanna’s input comes as the industry debates whether more fixed hours should become the norm or remain flexible.
Final thoughts
Rashmika Mandanna does not claim there’s a one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, she suggests openness, clarity and communication: understand the schedule before you commit — and recognise that for creative work, sometimes the hours will stretch, but they should be mutually agreed. As the industry evolves, her viewpoint may help shape a more balanced conversation around working hours, actor welfare, and sustainable practices on set.
Summary
Rashmika Mandanna says working hours in cinema vary by region and project; while she backs the idea of eight-hour days, she insists hours should be discussed and agreed by film teams before shooting.