Aditya Sarpotdar Reflects on Bollywood’s Work-Hour Debate as Rashmika Calls for Balance

Conversation about limiting daily shoot hours in Hindi cinema has moved beyond headlines into personal accounts. The debate reignited after reports that Deepika Padukone walked away from projects such as Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, leaving the industry split between calls for firm rules and the realities of filmmaking.

Aditya Sarpotdar, director of the recently released horror-comedy Thamma, has added his voice to the discussion. Describing the typical long, unpredictable days on set, he argued that expecting crew and cast to routinely exceed 12 hours can be both physically draining and unjust.

'There is a tendency to treat marathon days as normal, but that wears people down — mentally and physically. A 12-hour shift feels fair and workable,' he said, noting that pushing beyond that level frequently imposes undue pressure.

Sarpotdar praised Thamma's lead Rashmika Mandanna for her steady work ethic, observing that she often completes long days without complaint; yet he cautioned that such resilience should not become the standard expectation for everyone. 'Collaboration should happen when both actor and director agree on conditions,' he added.

On Deepika Padukone's demand for fixed hours, Sarpotdar urged a measured response. He suggested the industry examine each situation on its merits instead of adopting one-size-fits-all rules: 'Every performer, project and circumstance is different.'

The director also described practical adjustments made during Thamma's shoot to protect senior actor Paresh Rawal's well-being, stressing a duty of care: 'When a member of the cast needs accommodations, it's our responsibility to provide them.'

Rashmika Mandanna, who has previously spoken about the toll of exhaustive schedules, reiterated her preference for a more regular routine — likening the need for personal time and rest to a standard 9-to-5 rhythm and calling relentless overwork unsustainable.

Thamma, which features Ayushmann Khurrana, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Paresh Rawal alongside Rashmika, has earned ₹121.80 crore at the domestic box office since its Diwali opening.

Rashmika is next set to appear in the Telugu romantic drama The Girlfriend, directed by Rahul Ravindran, which releases this Friday.