Naqiyah Haji has backed Deepika Padukone’s call for an eight-hour workday in the film industry, adding her voice to a growing debate over long shooting schedules, work-life balance and better working conditions in Bollywood.
The discussion has gained momentum as actors and industry professionals consider whether more structured working hours could make film production more sustainable and inclusive, particularly for working mothers and members of the crew.
Naqiyah Haji backs shorter working hours
In an exclusive interview, actress Naqiyah Haji expressed support for Deepika Padukone’s demand for an eight-hour workday, saying that shorter, more predictable schedules could help actors manage their professional commitments alongside family responsibilities.
Highlighting the challenges faced by mothers working in the entertainment industry, Haji argued that a shorter schedule should be achievable with proper planning.
“I definitely agree with her. I think being a mom, being an actor, there are so many things that you need to take care of. If it could be worked out, why not? Because it can be shot, it’s not like it cannot happen. You know, you can do it within eight hours,” she said, while acknowledging that some people in the industry may have reservations about the proposal.
Haji’s comments come ahead of her film Party Animals. Her support adds another perspective to an ongoing discussion about balancing production requirements with the personal lives and well-being of film professionals.
Why Deepika Padukone’s eight-hour workday demand has sparked debate
Padukone’s call for more defined working hours has prompted wider conversations about Bollywood’s production practices. Film shoots can involve extended days, uncertain schedules and demanding commitments, making it difficult for actors and crew members to maintain a consistent work-life balance.
The debate has also drawn attention to questions of gender equity. For working mothers, predictable schedules can make childcare and other family responsibilities easier to manage. More broadly, reasonable working hours could benefit technicians, assistants and junior artists who may have less influence over production schedules than established stars.
Reports have linked Padukone’s work-hour expectations to changes in her involvement with major film projects, including Kalki 2 and Spirit. However, the circumstances surrounding individual casting decisions should be distinguished from confirmed statements by the people and production teams involved.
Haji’s endorsement is significant in the context of a conversation that extends beyond individual actors. It raises a broader question: can the industry make working hours more predictable without compromising the practical demands of filmmaking?
Bollywood actors offer different perspectives
Industry reactions to shorter shooting schedules have varied, with several actors weighing in on whether fixed working hours could become more common.
Rani Mukerji has spoken about the possibility of completing shoots within shorter schedules, referring to her experience working approximately six to seven hours a day on Hichki. Kajol has also discussed maintaining limits on her working hours, particularly after becoming a mother.
Konkona Sen Sharma has advocated a gradual approach based on dialogue and collective efforts, including the role of unions. Priyamani, meanwhile, has highlighted how working hours can depend on the circumstances of a particular production.
Kangana Ranaut has also expressed support for Padukone’s position, framing the issue in terms of the right of mothers and leading actors to establish boundaries around their work.
These perspectives illustrate that the debate is not simply about imposing a uniform schedule. It also involves questions of planning, production logistics, contractual expectations and the ability of workers to negotiate fair conditions.
Can an eight-hour workday work for Bollywood?
Introducing an eight-hour schedule across film productions would require changes in how projects are planned and executed. Shooting locations, cast availability, lighting requirements, travel, retakes and technical setups can all affect how much work can be completed in a day.
Producers may also face higher costs if shorter shifts require additional shooting days, crew rotations or extended use of locations and equipment. Some industry estimates have suggested that tighter schedules could increase production budgets, but any specific figure—including claims of a 10–20% increase—needs reliable sourcing and should not be treated as a universal outcome.
Better planning could help offset some of these pressures. Detailed shot lists, realistic call sheets, timely decisions and coordination between departments may allow productions to use available hours more efficiently. The impact would likely vary according to the scale and requirements of each project.
The challenge is to find a workable model that protects workers without overlooking the financial realities of filmmaking. Collective discussions involving producers, actors, technicians and unions could help establish clearer expectations and practical safeguards.
From a celebrity debate to a wider workplace issue
Deepika Padukone’s demand has helped bring Bollywood’s working culture into the spotlight, but the underlying issue affects far more people than headline-making stars. Crew members and junior workers may also face long hours while having fewer opportunities to negotiate their schedules.
Naqiyah Haji’s support adds to calls for a more considerate approach to working conditions. Whether the industry adopts a formal eight-hour standard or develops more flexible guidelines, the wider conversation centres on predictability, fairness and accountability.
Improving working conditions will involve costs and operational adjustments. The key question is how the industry can distribute those responsibilities fairly while maintaining efficient production.
Ultimately, the debate is about more than the length of a shooting day. It is about whether a demanding industry can build a culture in which professional ambition and personal well-being are not treated as opposing goals.
