EXCLUSIVE | R. Madhavan on Deepika Padukone’s 8-Hour Workday: “Your Requirements Shouldn’t Hurt the Film’s Budget”

Recently, iconic actor Madhavan shared his outlook in the go-on debate over working hours in the film industry in an interview with Firstpost, raising the voice against the misconceptions behind the rumor that actress Deepika Padukone had reportedly completed a 8-hour working shift on set.

Vikrant Massey joined this discourse and also offered his opinions in a different interview, as they expressed the same idea regarding the equilibrium between freedom of choice and professional duty.

🎬 R. Madhavan: Work Hours Shouldn’t Compromise the Project

The Aap Jaisa Koi actor indicated the issue of passion and responsibility in the process of filmmaking. What Madhavan means by this is that when you are determined to do a project, then the working hours no longer matter because you love that craft.

“If I am doing something that I am passionate about and I love, then time doesn’t matter. It should be a choice,” he explained.

“Nobody can force you to work less or more. There has to be a standard, but most importantly, your requirements shouldn’t be detrimental to the project or its budget. That is very essential.”

His remarks come in light of recent debates around the length of working hours in Bollywood, particularly when top-tier stars opt for limited shifts.

🎥 Vikrant Massey: It’s About Personal Choice and Practicality

Actor Vikrant Massey, who spoke to Firstpost as well in a different interview, agreed with the idea that worktime was something that should always remain a personal decision. But similar to Madhavan, he also emphasized the value of practicality in the economy.

He accepted that both personal well-being and work-life balance are necessary but film economics also have to be considered such as budgets, schedules, and crew costs.

💡 A Common Ground: Passion vs. Practicality

One prominent theme which was drawn out by both Madhavan and by Massey was that of the balance between creative freedom and accountability of the professional. The market should change and improve as well, but it should also do so without compromising the quality of production.

Their voices are compromised, mediated form of approach which encourages individual choice in the interest of collective nature of the process of filmmaking.

✅ Final Thoughts

The debate around work hours in the entertainment industry is far from new, but with influential voices like R. Madhavan and Vikrant Massey speaking up, it’s clear the conversation is evolving. At its core, the message is simple: flexibility is welcome—but never at the expense of the film’s vision or viability.