The Aryavarth Express
Mumbai: Bollywood veteran Madhuri Dixit has shared her perspective on the ongoing debate over 8-hour work shifts in the film industry, saying that actors should be free to decide the work-life balance that suits them best.
The discussion gained momentum after reports that Deepika Padukone sought an 8-hour workday for the upcoming film Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga and starring Prabhas, a request that reportedly contributed to her departure from the project.
Madhuri reflected on her own experience with long shooting schedules, noting that she often worked 12-hour days.
“I think to each his own,” she said. “I’m a workaholic, so maybe it’s different for me. But if a woman has the power to decide how many hours she wants to work, that’s her prerogative. It’s her life. Then more power to her.”
She added that no actor should feel pressure to conform to a fixed standard and emphasised that determining work hours should remain a personal choice.
Earlier, actress Rani Mukerji also commented on the issue, stating that flexible schedules have always depended on mutual agreement between actors and producers.
“If the producer is okay with it, you go ahead with the film. If not, you don’t. Nobody is forcing anything on anybody,” she said.
Madhuri, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actors, continues to enjoy a successful career. Known for classics such as Dil, Beta, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, and Dil To Pagal Hai, she has also been acclaimed for roles in Devdas, Prem Pratigyaa, Parinda, and Mrityudand. In recent years, she has appeared in Dedh Ishqiya, The Fame Game, Total Dhamaal, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3.
