Shefali Shah on Fixed Working Hours: “I Can’t Shoot for 24 Hours”
Following Deepika Padukone’s exit from Spirit and Kalki 2 over 8-hour working schedules, Shefali Shah has shared her own stance on fixed working hours in the Hindi film industry. The Delhi Crime actress revealed in an interview with News18 that she now includes working hours, hotel suite access, and vanity van facilities in her contracts.
“After all this time, after Delhi Crime, after me headlining a show, now I get what I ask for. Earlier, it was out of the question,” Shefali said. “Now there is a thing of if this is not possible, then I will not do the project. Earlier, whatever they said, I agreed.”
Husband Supports Her Boundaries
Shefali added that her husband, producer Vipul Shah, often ensures that her time on set is respected:
“Recently, Vipul was talking to my assistant and told her that I have to be taken off the set after the agreed time because I can’t shoot for 24 hours. He said, ‘She has to be physically moved out.’ I am still made to feel guilty about it in certain ways.”
Why She Demands a Hotel Suite and Vanity Van
The actress explained her practical reasons for requesting a hotel suite:
“You need a good room or a suite. But they ask, ‘Why do you need a suite?’ Because my hair, makeup, and everything are set up over there. In a hotel room, where is the space beyond the bed? Where will I keep all these things? You want to do creative meetings with me? Where will I sit?”
She also highlighted the importance of a vanity van for her team’s comfort:
“When I’m asking for a vanity van, I am asking it not just for myself, but also for my team. I don’t like my team standing outside in the heat or rain. A lot of actors don’t care, but I don’t like it. You are asking for a decent van and a toilet, and not just for yourself.”
Shefali noted that such measures not only help her but also ensure the crew’s wellbeing.
Fixed Hours and Industry Reactions
Shefali recounted an instance while shooting a few months ago:
“There is a stipulated time on my contract, so I used to leave. After 2–3 days, an AD and some crew members said, ‘Thank God, she leaves because that way we get to go home, otherwise we are just here, we live on the set.’”
Her stance highlights a growing conversation in Bollywood about actors’ rights, work-life balance, and humane working conditions.
Shefali Shah’s Recent Work
Shefali was last seen in Delhi Crime Season 3, which premiered on Netflix on November 13, 2025. The show features Huma Qureshi, Rasika Dugal, Rajesh Tailang, Sayani Gupta, Sidharth Bhardwaj, Mita Vasisht, Anuraag Arora, Gopal Dutt, Jayaa Bhattacharya, Aakaash Dahiyaa, Yashaswini R Dayama, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Yukti Thareja in key roles.
