Used to sleep in rooms full of insects…On the issue of Deepika Padukone working for eight hours; Veteran actor opened old wounds of the industry
Veteran Actor Rajendra Chawla: The issue of work-life balance has recently come into focus in the entertainment industry after Deepika Padukone demanded fixed working days of eight hours for actors. His demand has sparked a large-scale debate, on which reactions are coming from performers, filmmakers and producers. While some people have supported the idea of a fixed schedule, many industry veterans have rejected it as impractical. Veteran actor Rajendra Chawla is also among those who believe that such expectations do not match the reality of show business.
Rajendra Chawla’s stance on the reality of the industry
In a recent conversation, Chawla expressed his opinion that fixed hour shifts are more suitable for a corporate environment and not for creative fields like film and television. He emphasized that anyone entering the world of entertainment should understand its demanding nature from the beginning. According to him, long working hours are a natural part of this profession, mainly due to the increasing volume and speed of content production.
Chawla explained that television, especially daily soaps, requires a high output on a regular basis. Actors are often expected to produce more than twenty minutes of finished content each day, which naturally increases work hours beyond standard office hours. He argued that constantly focusing on a limited schedule would only hinder the workflow and make it impossible to meet deadlines. In his view, once one decides to enter this competitive field, one has to adapt to its rhythm. He suggested that for those who are not prepared to do so, traditional nine-to-five roles, which offer certainty and routine, may be better suited. For them, enduring physical fatigue is better than carrying the mental burden of dissatisfaction.
Comparison of previous and current working conditions
Chawla also told how much the conditions have improved for actors in the last few years. Recalling his early days, he pointed out that today’s performers enjoy facilities that were unimaginable earlier. The modern sets are equipped with air-conditioned make-up rooms, personal vanity vans and dedicated support staff. In contrast, previous generations often had to make do with minimal amenities.
She recalled how earlier female actors used to change clothes in open spaces or behind trees due to lack of infrastructure. Even famous stars had to wait for their shots in inclement weather conditions, without any shelter, fully dressed in costume. Chawla said that the current generation has the convenience of traveling in a comfortable van whenever they are not needed on the set.
more gratitude than complaints
To further clarify his point of view, Chawla shared an incident from his television career. A supervising producer once remarked that he rarely complained. Chawla replied that his past experiences in theater have shaped his perspective. During touring productions, actors often slept on simple carpets in cramped rooms full of insects. Compared to those difficulties, getting a vanity van, fresh fruits and personalized bedding seemed like a luxury. From his perspective, such amenities left little room for complaint, further strengthening his belief that perspective and gratitude are vital in a tough profession like showbiz.
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