Actress Chitrangda Singh has shared her insights on the critical conversation about regulated shift timings on film sets. While actors generally receive ample care, she emphasizes the urgency of addressing the needs of crew members, who are the backbone of the film industry.
When asked about the importance of changing shift timings for mental and physical well-being, Chitrangda stated, “I think it definitely is important. Actors are still very well taken care of. There is a lot of, you know, regard for their time, for their comfort. Usually, producers, as much as they can, and directors try to work around their time.”
Highlighting Crew Struggles
Chitrangda pointed out that technicdigihunt, including light men, art department staff, and set workers, often endure longer hours than the actors. “But I feel what we also need to discuss is probably the light men, the set guys, who, the art and all these guys, because for a nine o’clock shift, if I come at seven for hair and makeup, they are there from 5.30 in the morning or maybe five in the morning, and then they’re the last ones to go and the first ones to come.”
She also mentioned the challenges of long travel times and limited transport options, which exacerbate their fatigue. “I feel that it’s very, very tough, you know, most of the time they’re sleeping on sets, poor guys. So that kind of regularization is something that I think actors should be pushing for.”
A Collective Industry Concern
Chitrangda believes that actors should actively advocate for changes that prioritize everyone in the industry, not just themselves. “I think that is a far more important conversation. Yeah, that is what maybe we should address as, you know, as a thought to the well-being of every person in the industry and not just the actors.”
Responding to the notion that structured work hours could stifle creativity, she firmly disagreed. “Better working hours will definitely help everybody. There is no doubt about that. There is no doubt about that, that better working hours will improve everybody’s efficiency.”
Balancing Creativity and Practicality
Chitrangda acknowledged the realities of filmmaking, saying, “But at the same time, sometimes there are small budget films, there are mid-budget films, and they have to look at the business end of it as well. So, that also has to be considered. I mean, it’s not a corporate job. I think that is something one needs to be very clear about.”
She further explained that filmmaking often requires flexibility, especially during the writing and editing phases, which frequently extend late into the night. “We cannot put the same kind of corporate rules to the film industry. So, there has to be a mature call on everything. You know, a balanced call is what I mean.”