Ever since Deepika Padukone’s exit from ‘Spirit’ and ‘Kalki 2’, there’s been a debate around the working hours for actors. Reportedly, one of the demands made by the actress was an eight-hour shift. Since then, several celebs have weighed in on it. In a recent interview, Kunal Kemmu and Saif Ali Khan also have spoken about it. The discussion explored the realities of show business and why professionals must understand the expectations attached to the careers they choose.
Kunal said in an interview with Soha Ali Khan on her podcast, where he was accompanied by Saif. “As adults, when we grow up, we also choose what we want to become in life. Once you sign up for something, you need to understand that it comes with certain expectations. Sometimes people say they want to work only for a limited number of hours and spend the rest of the time elsewhere, but then you should choose a job that allows that,” he said.
According to the actor, problems arise when people seek the benefits of a profession but hesitate to meet its requirements. “You can’t say in the middle of it that you want to get paid more and work less because now you feel like doing something else. If you want to be a bigger superstar and work in many films a year, you have to accept the effort that comes with it.”
He also spoke about generational expectations and the contradictions that sometimes accompany them. “Even when we talk about Gen Z and say they don’t want to work as much as millennials did, it’s also about expectations. People want the lifestyle, time to relax, go on exploration trips — but then they also complain if someone who works 12 hours earns more. If someone is not going on holidays, that’s also criticised. You want to travel but you also want a higher salary. These things don’t always go together.”
Saif Ali Khan agreed that maintaining a work-life balance is achievable, though it often depends on how individuals organise their careers and schedules. “It is possible, and it helps when you are successful. I can name a few colleagues in this industry who have balanced it well. They start work early, maybe at seven and the camera rolls at nine in the morning. You can get a lot of work done and still see your children in the evening,” he said.
Kunal Kemmu further pointed out that actors who want more control over their working hours can take on additional responsibilities, such as producing their own films.
“You can work for eight hours or even four hours if you want, but then become the producer, put in your own money, and take that decision yourself. If you are the boss and decide to work for two hours a day, you’ll realise that the film won’t finish on time and the project will cost much more. You might end up losing money. It’s very easy to make these choices with someone else’s money.”
He added that professionals should aim to reach a position where they can make independent decisions about their work.
Kunal said, “Reach a position where you can do exactly what you want. But you can’t say, ‘Give me a job, I’ll decide how much you pay me, when I’ll show up, and how the work will be done.’ Then people will ask why they should suffer the consequences of working with you. I’m saying this in general.”
The conversation also touched upon the challenges many actors face when starting families during the peak of their careers. When Soha Ali Khan pointed out that this is often a dilemma for women whose careers are thriving when they choose to become mothers, Kunal said such decisions usually require careful planning and come with certain consequences.
Kunal said, “But motherhood is usually something you plan, unless you become an accidental mother. That’s a different story. You have to plan it right, your plan can’t affect the way the world is working.”
He clarified that the point should not be seen as a gender-specific issue. “This applies to men as well. If you take a decision in life, there will be repercussions. It’s like training in the gym. If you want to build your body, you have to show up every day. When your muscles hurt, you can’t complain about the pain, that’s how it works.”
For Kunal Kemmu, the distinction lies in how people view the effort required to succeed in the industry. He said, “It’s not a sacrifice; it’s a commitment to the job you want to excel at. You can’t sit and complain about the nature of the business. Either you become sellable or you find ways to make yourself sellable so people want to work with you. It’s not a man-versus-woman issue.”
