Pankaj Tripathi recalls his long working hours amidst Deepika’s exit from “Spirit”
Pankaj Tripathi recalls his long working hours amidst Deepika’s exit from “Spirit”
Acclaimed actor Pankaj Tripathi voices to the growing conversation over healthier working conditions in the Indian film industry.
After recent news reports on Deepika Padukone’s exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming movie Spirit, the issue of equitable work schedules in Bollywood received fresh attention.
In his recent Media interaction, acclaimed actor Pankaj shared his own experiences of arduous film shoots and extended working days that have, at times, pushed the limits of what’s considered sustainable. He further quipped that “Kaam mein khiche jaa raha hai. 16 ghanta-18 ghanta ho gaya main laga hua hoon. Main bol bhi raha hoon, actor jaa chuka hai. Labour ruka hua hai. Elaborating how endless hours on set can leave actors feeling more like labourers than artists.
He also underlined the importance of setting professional boundaries, stressing that being firm doesn’t necessarily equate to being uncooperative.
Adding that “Phir laga nahi, abhi toh aap vinamrata purvak bol dijiye ki ‘Nahi, itna hi hoga. Humne commit ye kiya tha, commitment humari poori ho gayi. Ab dhanyavaad. Jo bacha hai, kal karenge,’” he said, emphasising the need for clear and respectful communication around commitments.
Deepika’s decision to distance Spirit, reportedly due to concerns about long hours and language barriers, sparked heated conversations across the industry. Her request for an 8-hour workday, in particular, struck a chord, with other stars such as Kajol, Ajay Devgn and Saif Ali Khan echoing similar sentiments in recent months.
News Edit KV Raman
