The debate around work-life balance in Bollywood refuses to decline. Last year, reports claimed that actress Deepika Padukone had requested an 8-hour work shift after becoming a mother, sparking widespread discussions in the film industry. Now, filmmaker Anubhav Sinha has shared his thoughts and he believes the issue was made bigger than it needed to be.
In a recent interview, Anubhav Sinha addressed the topic of actors demanding fixed working hours. According to him, the solution is straightforward. If a filmmaker is not comfortable with an actor’s conditions, they simply should not collaborate. He feels there is no need to create unnecessary drama around such matters.
Recalling his experience while directing Mulk, Anubhav Sinha spoke about working with the late Rishi Kapoor. He shared that Rishi Kapoor had informed him after reading the script that he did not wish to shoot night scenes. Since night sequences were important for the story, the two discussed it and reached a middle ground. Rishi Kapoor agreed to shoot a limited number of night schedules (4) and Anubhav Sinha adjusted the plan accordingly. Even when the number of night shoots slightly increased later (5), they managed the situation with understanding.
Anubhav Sinha described the experience as pleasant and said that since he truly wanted Rishi Kapoor for the film, adjusting the schedule was never a problem. For him, filmmaking is about collaboration and mutual respect.
When asked about the controversy surrounding Deepika Padukone’s reported demand, Anubhav Sinha clarified that he does not believe in gossip. He mentioned that he has barely interacted with Deepika personally but has heard from others that she is professional and wonderful to work with.
He emphasised that if an actor’s demands feel unreasonable, a director or producer has the choice to walk away. In his opinion, such disagreements are common in any workplace and should remain private. He compared it to family disagreements, they do not need to be announced publicly.
Anubhav Sinha also pointed out that actors have valid reasons to care about their working conditions. Since they appear on large cinema screens, even minor physical fatigue can become noticeable. Long hours can affect their appearance and performance, so discussions about work hours are not unusual.
According to him, not every disagreement deserves to become a public controversy. With communication and mutual understanding, most issues can be resolved quietly and professionally.
What is your take in this regard? Do you agree with him?
