The ongoing conversation about long working hours in the Indian film industry has gained momentum in recent weeks and Rashmika Mandanna has now added her voice to the debate. Her remarks come in the wake of reports suggesting that Deepika Padukone had a disagreement with director Sandeep Reddy Vanga over scheduling demands on their now-shelved project Spirit.
In an interview, Rashmika has addressed the issue of working hours and the importance of clarity between cast and crew before taking up a project. She says that while discussions around flexible schedules are valid, they are best resolved within teams, depending on what suits everyone involved. She emphasises that it ultimately comes down to personal choices and clear mutual understanding.
Having worked across multiple film industries, Rashmika also shared how scheduling norms vary from region to region. In the South, including Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada industries, work usually runs from 9 am to 6 pm. In Hindi cinema, the typical shift extends from 9 am to 9 pm. She further adds that she is comfortable with both, depending on what the film demands.
However, she also pointed out the more intense realities of film shooting, noting that in some cases, shoots that start with a standard schedule stretch far beyond, sometimes even going on for 36 hours without a break. She admitted that there have been situations where people have worked for two or three days straight without getting to return home.
The debate over working hours became prominent after Deepika Padukone reportedly walked away from Spirit because of her request for fixed work hours. As a new mother, she is said to be trying to maintain a better balance between her personal and professional lives. This disagreement led to her exit from the film, which would have marked her second collaboration with Prabhas after Kalki 2898 AD. Following her departure, Triptii Dimri was brought on board for the project.
Rashmika, who had previously worked with Sandeep Reddy Vanga on Animal, acknowledged the pressure that high-intensity shoots can bring and the importance of setting realistic expectations. She was last seen in the film Kuberaa, which was released on June 20.
