Rashmika Mandanna reacts to Deepika Padukone–Sandeep Reddy Vanga work hours clash: 'There are much worse scenarios'

Following the news of Deepika Padukone's departure from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit, the conversation about working hours in the Indian film industry regained momentum. The decision, allegedly based on differences of opinion about set work hours, has sparked a firestorm of discussion within the industry about the demanding and often unpredictable nature of the job that performers and crew members endure.

Rashmika Mandanna joins the conversation

In an interview with Mojo Story, Rashmika Mandanna, who worked with Vanga in Animal, added her voice to the continuing debate. She drew on her experience working in various film sectors and languages to illustrate the vast cultural differences in the workplace.

Rashmika explained that she works in multiple industries, stating, "I do work in multiple industries, which is, for example, in the South—the Telugu industry, the Kannada industry, or the Tamil industry—we work 9 am to 6 pm, like it’s our office hours. After the shoot, we spend time with family, we go to sleep and we head to shoot the next day. In Hindi, I’ve realised it’s a 9 am to 9 pm shift. It’s 12 working hours so now as an actor, I am open to both of these working hours because this is what my firm requires."

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Importance of pre-project discussions

Rashmika noted that, ideally, such topics should be discussed and agreed upon before any project begins. She also noted that the subject of work schedules has become a national debate. She said, "Today the whole country is debating about flexible hours and everything, but that is for discussion amongst the teams to figure out what works for them. It’s their personal choices, so that’s what I believe in. I feel like every film has to have that discussion and be open to how many hours in the day they want to work."

Overextended shootings are a reality that many in the industry are aware of, and Rashmika addressed that as well. The actor said that one might be working for 36 to 48 hours straight on some films, since production might begin at 9 in the morning and end at 9 in the evening. She described the films as "pretty normal," in which they work nonstop.

On Deepika Padukone and Sandeep Reddy Vanga's rumoured tassle

Rashmika stated that many people have opinions about the ongoing debate today regarding the widespread coverage of the rumoured feud between Padukone and Vanga, and rightly so. The actor added, "But it’s fair that you went and told your director, ‘Okay, this is the timeframe I want to work in. Can we do this?’ Of course, it’s their personal debate."

Finally, she brought attention to the importance of open dialogue and empathy amongst film industry colleagues, saying, "Just to throw a little light on these things, there are much worse scenarios happening where you are working 2–3 days without going home, you know, without having a little nap."

As the film industry considers more environmentally friendly methods of production, Rashmika's comments highlight the emotional and physical toll that long days on set can entail, as well as the significance of communicating realistic expectations from the start.