Kanwar Dhillon Reveals TV Industry's 15-Hour Workdays—And Why They Must Change

In an exclusive interview with IANS, he suggested that standard shifts should ideally be limited to 8–10 hours. While acknowledging that overnight shoots are sometimes unavoidable, he emphasized the need for shorter, more manageable working hours for actors and crew. When asked about long working hours in the television industry, Kanwar stated, “I haven’t heard of any official change, but I’d love to see standard shifts of 8–10 hours instead of 12 or more. Sometimes episodes need to be delivered overnight, so long hours become unavoidable. But ideally, 9–10 hours should be the standard.”

The discussion around long working hours in the entertainment industry gained traction after Deepika Padukone, who recently embraced motherhood, voiced her desire for an 8-hour workday. Her statement sparked a broader conversation, with several television celebrities now sharing their perspectives on the issue.

Earlier, Nyrraa Banerji had opened up about the exhausting work culture in the television industry. Nyrraa spoke about how long shooting hours can take a toll on actors’ health, sleep patterns, and overall performance. She highlighted the need for a healthy work-life balance, pointing out that regular weekly breaks and personal downtime are essential for maintaining both physical well-being and creative productivity.

The ‘Khakee: The Bengal Chapter’ told IANS, “I completely agree. We often work fifteen hours a day, which affects health, sleep, and performance. Without proper rest, actors cannot look fresh or deliver emotions with full energy. That’s why whenever I take up a show, I insist on at least one holiday a week or half-days. We need time for ourselves, our families, and our personal responsibilities. Otherwise, it becomes unhealthy.”

- IANS