The conversation around Deepika Padukone’s reported demand for fixed working hours continues to spark reactions across the film industry. The latest filmmaker to address the issue is Venky Atluri, who believes that actors should adapt to the work culture of the industry they choose to work in rather than expect the industry to change for them.
“Understand the Industry Before Working There”
In a recent interview, the Lucky Baskhar director said that every film industry has its own way of functioning. According to him, artists moving from one industry to another should first understand how that industry operates before making demands.
Atluri explained that if he were to direct a Hindi film, he would first spend time observing and understanding Bollywood’s working style. Likewise, actors coming from Hindi, Tamil or Malayalam cinema to Telugu films should be willing to adapt to the Telugu industry’s work culture.
“Respect the Culture”
Speaking about Telugu cinema’s shooting schedule, Atluri said film sets often work 11 to 12 hours a day, and that this has long been the norm in the industry.
He added that respecting the culture of the place where one works is essential. Rather than insisting on personal preferences, artists should be prepared to work within the established system of that industry.
A Story from the Sets of Vishwanath and Sons
To explain his point, Atluri shared an incident involving actress Raveena Tandon during the shooting of Vishwanath and Sons in Ooty.
The team had to complete an important sequence in freezing weather, and delaying the shoot would have affected visual continuity. Initially, there were concerns about extending the working hours, but Raveena agreed to continue filming after understanding the situation, allowing the crew to complete the schedule successfully. Atluri cited the incident as an example of teamwork and mutual understanding on a film set.
The Deepika Padukone Controversy
The debate gained momentum after reports claimed that Deepika Padukone preferred an eight-hour workday, leading to her reported exits from Spirit and later the Kalki 2898 AD sequel after discussions with the makers reportedly did not reach common ground.
The issue has since divided opinions, with some supporting healthier work-life balance in filmmaking, while others believe production schedules require greater flexibility.
A Debate That Continues Across Industries
Venky Atluri’s remarks have added another perspective to an ongoing conversation about working conditions in Indian cinema.
As collaborations between Bollywood and South Indian film industries continue to grow, discussions around working hours, production practices and adapting to different filmmaking cultures are likely to remain part of the industry’s evolving landscape.
