Vikrant Massey says India isn't ready for a 'four-day work week': Have to work really hard for the next 40-50 years
Mumbai, July 22
Actor Vikrant Massey has shared his views on the forever debate around shorter work weeks and work life balance especially in the entertainment industry.
Talking about the decade, the actor stated that a four-day work week may work in other countries, but is not yet possible in India as the nation still has a long way to go in its growth journey.
Speaking during the promotions of his upcoming series 'Musafir Cafe', Vikrant, in sn exclusive conversation, described the issue as a "very complex issue" and said India's economic realities are vastly different from those of developed nations.
Drawing a comparison with countries in Northern Europe, where four-day work weeks have gained traction, the actor said India is not yet in a position to adopt a similar model.
"If you talk about life or working like some countries, especially in Northern Europe, where four-day work weeks are followed, I don't think we can do that here. We are still a developing economy. We are a very young democracy. We have to achieve a lot as a country, not just for ourselves, but for the next generation as well," Vikrant said.
He further stressed that sustained hard work would be essential if India wants to realise its full potential over the coming decades.
"I believe that if we really want to see India grow and realise its true potential, then as a young country, for at least the next 30, 40 or even 50 years, we have to work really hard," he added.
Talking about the working hours in the entertainment industry, Vikrant said, "If I talk specifically about the industry, it is such a cost-heavy industry. It costs a lot of money. Even if we have a 12-hour shift, we don't actually shoot for 12 hours. We probably shoot for only four or five hours. Sometimes we have to shoot for 16-17 hours because there are budgets and practical realities," he said.
On the work front, Vikrant is gearing up for the release of Netflix's romantic drama series 'Musafir Cafe'. The show explores themes of love, heartbreak and self-discovery, with the actor playing Chander.
During the interaction, Vikrant also described the project as one of the finest scripts he has ever read and admitted that the role pushed him to emotional depths he had never explored before as an actor.
'Musafir Cafe' has been directed by Ruchir Arun and also stars Mahima Makwana and Vedika Pinto. The movie is set to premiere on OTT on July 24.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Vikrant makes a good point about the entertainment industry. I've worked in film production and those 16-hour days are real. But honestly, glorifying overwork isn't healthy either. We need to find a middle ground - maybe start with 5-day weeks for everyone first? Many small businesses still operate 6-7 days a week. There's a long way to go indeed.
I partially agree but this mentality "we have to work hard for 50 years" is what keeps us trapped in a cycle of burnout. Look at countries like Japan - they worked hard for decades and now have a generation that doesn't know how to relax. Hard work is important but work-life balance should not be a luxury reserved for the rich. We should demand better working conditions while striving for development. ✌️
As someone working in a factory, I laugh when people talk about 4-day work weeks. We work 6 days, 12 hours each day and still struggle to make ends meet. Vikrant's comment is from an actor's perspective - he can afford to talk about "hard work" because his hard work pays well. For most of us, we're just trying to survive. But I get his larger point about India needing to catch up.
Vikrant is spot on! We are a young nation with average age of 28-29 years. This is our demographic dividend - we should use it to build the country. 4-day work week can come when our per capita income reaches developed nation levels. Till then, jitna kaam utni kamai. Simple economics. 👌
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