As the debate about work-life balance and humane working hours continues to grow in the Indian entertainment industry – especially after reports of actress Deepika Padukone requesting structured work guidelines after motherhood – filmmaker Hansal Mehta has added a fascinating perspective to the conversation.
After Deepika Padukone’s work-life balance sparks debate, Hansal Mehta opens up on ‘inhumane’ working hours in the industry
In a detailed note shared on social media platform X, the Scam 1992 director reflected on the demanding nature of the industry and the impact it has on the cast, technicians and crew members. His words resonated deeply in the creative community, shedding light on the exhausting work culture that many have long accepted as “normal.”
Mehta began his post by addressing the long-standing reality of constant working hours in business. “In our line of work, 12-hour days are politely called ‘shifts’. The truth is that between the frenzy of shooting, endless commutes, rushed meals and barely a few hours of broken sleep, we have very little left. Where does our mental health or physical well-being fit into this equation? Weekends are rarely weekends. Breaks are looked down upon. Somewhere along the way, exhaustion became the norm and rest became a It became a privilege.
He also questioned the structure of the entertainment sector and emphasized its dependence on overworked professionals. “Sometimes I wonder: Can it really be called an industry if it runs on the constant ruin of its people? The hardest hit are those who have the least power – the day laborers. They are always the first in and the last to leave, surviving in conditions we would call inhumane elsewhere.”
The filmmaker did not limit his comments to cinema only, he extended his criticism to television and OTT productions as well. “The situation is worse on television and now even OTT and films have fallen into the same pattern. We often celebrate the arrival of global corporations, believing that they will bring better systems. But often they adopt the broken systems we already have because it is profitable.”
In our line of work, a 12-hour day is politely called a “shift.” The truth is that between the frenzy of shooting, the endless commute, hurried meals and barely a few hours of broken sleep, we are left with very little. Where does our mental health or physical well-being fit into this…
– Hansal Mehta (@mehtahansal) 10 October 2025
Mehta ended his note with a strong message about empathy and systemic change, writing, “I truly believe that if we care about our own well-being, and especially those at the base of this pyramid, we will not only work better, but live better. Ironically, so will quality, efficiency, and even profits. But first, we have to stop ridiculing the simple idea of comfort. Because without it, what would we actually be creating? Are you?”
Hansal Mehta’s statement has sparked widespread discussion online, with many voices from within the industry echoing his sentiments. As the conversation around fair work practices gains momentum, his words are an important reminder of the need for balance and reform in an industry often driven by relentless pace and pressure.
Read also: Hansal Mehta refutes rumors of launching Rajkumar Hirani’s son, opens up about the failure of Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar
Bollywood News – Live Updates
Follow us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box Office Collection, New Movies Release, Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on IHNS.
(TagstoTranslate)Bollywood(T)Deepika Padukone(T)Film Industry(T)Hansal Mehta(T)Indian Entertainment Industry(T)News(T)Social Media(T)Work Culture(T)Working Hours(T)Work Life Balance(T)Work Shift
