Ashutosh Rana Backs Deepika Padukone in 8-Hour Work-Life Balance Debate: ‘Quality Work Can Create Magic in Eight Hours’

Deepika Padukone’s demand for an eight-hour work shift last year sparked a strong and much-needed debate within the film industry. What began as a personal stand soon found resonance across the fraternity, with several actors, filmmakers, and technicians openly supporting her call for healthier and more structured working hours on film sets. Many described it as a long-overdue step towards prioritising well-being without compromising creative output.

As the conversation continues to evolve, veteran actor Ashutosh Rana has now added his voice in support of Deepika’s stance. In an exclusive interaction with a publication, Rana firmly backed the eight-hour work formula, emphasising that creativity, performance quality, and professional integrity tend to decline when artists are pushed beyond their physical and mental limits.

Explaining why he believes creative work should not extend beyond eight hours, Rana said, “I believe that creative work should not be done beyond eight hours. If you want the best of the best, you must understand this. Eight hours is a good amount of time; work can be completed in eight hours. If your pre-production is strong, if you are sorted, and if you have clarity about what you are going to shoot, then believe me - you can create magic in eight hours.”

He further stressed how prolonged working hours directly impact performance, calling energy a finite resource. “If you stretch beyond eight hours, it affects the quality of your work. This is entirely a game of energy and strength. Not everyone has the capacity to work for twenty hours and then rejuvenate in the remaining four hours. Stretching for a day or two is fine sometimes, but if stretching becomes a habit, then you must accept that it will affect your delivery. I am a strong believer in the idea that the eight-hour time slot should be mastered.”

Highlighting the role of preparation, Rana pointed out that excessive work hours often stem from lack of planning rather than necessity. “Discussions about the script, scene blocking, and planning should happen in the office. Not that once you reach the set you say, ‘Okay, let’s do this - this scene wasn’t there, so let’s modify it like this.’ If the captain of the ship is clear, then believe me, there will be no need to work beyond eight hours.”

With multiple industry voices having already supported Deepika Padukone’s call for balanced work schedules, Ashutosh Rana’s endorsement further strengthens the conversation around sustainable filmmaking. Meanwhile, Deepika continues to move ahead with a strong and exciting lineup, including Shah Rukh Khan’s King and Atlee’s next ambitious directorial, reaffirming that disciplined work culture and large-scale cinema can go hand in hand.