Last week, during the ‘Delhi Crime 3’ promotions, a technical issue caused significant delays in the interviews. As we sat down to talk with the team, it seemed important to discuss the ongoing debate about 8-hour shifts. Since everything on a set is connected, is it really possible to work within set hours? The team appeared passionate about the topic. They noted that while exceptions can happen, the system can’t be completely changed.
Production blame actors for delays in ‘Delhi Crime 3’ shooting
“Absolutely, there is a window and an understanding that if something goes wrong, or today is the last day at a set, everyone gets it, and we all love our work. So nobody is trying to avoid it. But it can’t be an everyday thing; it’s not fair,” Shefali Shah said.
Her co-star, Rasika Dugal, emphasized that there need to be rules and systems in place to prevent exploitation. Sayani Gupta pointed out that shoots in Kolkata still follow an 8-hour shift, while Rajesh Tailang recalled that the same was true in the 90s.
Does 12 hour shifts fair for actors?
“When I started shoot for ‘Delhi Crime 3’, we worked for eight hours, and it was great. Now, there’s a 12-hour shift. This puts too much pressure on creativity. Plus, we work for 12 hours, which means we come in at least an hour early, and we spend time traveling to the set. So technically, I am out of the house for 16 hours, and during the remaining time, I need to rest, catch up on sleep, exercise, and prepare for the next day,” Tailang said.
“And family? Well, I don’t think there’s even time for them, and you end up fighting and ruining things,” Rajesh added, discussing work-life balance amid busy schedules.
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