Mumbai: Actor Kalyani Priyadarshan has spoken about the demanding work culture in the Malayalam film industry, revealing that shooting schedules often extend up to 16 hours a day. The actor shared her perspective during a recent discussion about working conditions in cinema, highlighting the differences between Bollywood and the Malayalam film sector.
Kalyani, who made her acting debut with the Telugu film Hello! alongside Akhil Akkineni, has been selective with her projects over the years. Her career reached a major milestone with the Malayalam film Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra, which became one of the biggest commercial successes of 2025.
The film, directed by Dominic Arun and produced by Dulquer Salmaan, reportedly crossed ₹200 crore at the box office, making Kalyani the first female actor in Malayalam cinema to headline a film that achieved the milestone. The movie also presented her as the industry’s first female superhero on screen.
Malayalam film shoots can last up to 16 hours
During a conversation with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ananya Panday at an event hosted by The Hollywood Reporter India, Kalyani spoke about the long working hours commonly seen on Malayalam film sets.
She explained that film shoots in the industry traditionally begin early in the morning and can stretch well into the evening.
According to the actor, shooting days often start around 6 am and continue until about 9.30 pm, making it nearly a 16-hour workday.
Kalyani said that in many cases, production schedules also did not include weekly holidays, which made the work routine even more demanding for everyone involved in the filmmaking process.
Long hours affect entire film crews
Kalyani pointed out that the long working hours do not impact actors alone but also affect every member of the film crew.
Technicians, production teams, safety staff and other professionals working behind the scenes must also follow the same extended schedules, often arriving early and staying throughout the long shooting day.
The actor emphasised that such demanding schedules can take a physical and mental toll on people working on film sets.
She suggested that when individuals work for extremely long hours over several days, it may eventually affect productivity and even the overall quality of the film.
Malayalam industry moving towards 12-hour workdays
Despite the challenges, Kalyani shared a positive development within the Malayalam film industry.
She said that there has recently been a decision to reduce the standard daily work schedule from 16 hours to 12 hours.
While the change is still in the early stages of implementation, the actor described it as an important step toward improving working conditions in the industry.
According to her, many people working in Malayalam cinema have welcomed the move, as it could provide more rest and balance for those involved in filmmaking.
The change is expected to benefit not just actors but also crew members who spend long hours on set during film productions.
Reaction to Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift debate
The conversation about working hours in cinema gained attention recently after actor Deepika Padukone spoke about the importance of maintaining an eight-hour work shift on film sets.
Responding to the debate, Kalyani acknowledged that the idea of shorter shifts could help create healthier working environments in the industry.
However, she also pointed out that filmmaking is unpredictable and often influenced by several external factors.
For instance, weather conditions, location permissions and actors’ availability can significantly impact a shooting schedule.
She explained that some scenes might be completed quickly in a single take, while others may require multiple attempts and extend filming late into the night.
Because of these uncertainties, she believes it can be difficult for film productions to strictly follow fixed working hours.
Importance of respect and better work environments
While recognising the practical challenges of filmmaking, Kalyani emphasised the need for respect and proper rest for everyone working on film sets.
She added that when leading actors raise concerns or set certain standards regarding working conditions, it can encourage the industry to rethink traditional practices.
Such discussions, she suggested, may gradually lead to improved work environments and healthier schedules for both actors and technicians.
Upcoming projects
On the professional front, Kalyani Priyadarshan has several projects lined up.
The actor is expected to reprise her role in Lokah Chapter 2 following the success of the first film.
She will also appear in the upcoming film Marshal alongside actor Karthi.
In addition, the actor has begun work on another project, although an official announcement regarding the film has not yet been made.
Conclusion
Kalyani Priyadarshan’s remarks have added to the ongoing conversation about working hours and work culture in the Indian film industry. While acknowledging the demanding nature of filmmaking, she highlighted the importance of creating better working conditions for everyone on set, especially as the industry continues to evolve.
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