The debate around fixed working hours in the film industry continues to spark conversations, especially after Deepika Padukone‘s reported exits from ‘Spirit’ and the sequel to ‘Kalki 2898 AD’. Now, filmmaker Venky Atluri has shared his perspective on the issue, stressing that actors should adapt to the work culture of the industry they choose to work in rather than expecting it to change for them.Speaking to SCREEN about the difference between the Hindi and Telugu film industries, Atluri said that every industry functions differently and artists should respect those practices.“When a person from any industry, let it be Tamil, Malayalam, Hindi, when you’re coming and acting in a Telugu film, you have to understand the work culture and maybe respect the culture.” The director added that film shoots in the Telugu industry often extend to 11 or 12 hours, and actors coming from other industries should be prepared for those schedules.
Venky Atluri shares experience with Raveena Tandon
Atluri recalled an incident from the shoot of his upcoming film ‘Vishwanath and Sons’, featuring Suriya and Raveena Tandon, to explain how flexibility can sometimes be necessary during filmmaking.“I worked with Raveena Tandon, and it was the last day of shoot, we were shooting in Ooty. The temperatures were around 6 to 7 degrees. Maybe it is not cold for Hyderabadis, but for someone from Mumbai or Chennai, it’s cold.”He explained that the team had only two choices, either complete the sequence that day with an extended schedule or recreate it later, which would have affected the visual continuity.“There were only two options: either shoot for 14 hours straight, or shoot a portion of it and do the patch somewhere else. We know we can’t match the colour and temperature of Ooty anywhere. So Suriya was willing to go and I requested Raveena. Her manager was like no, she’d be angry. I think she overheard us, and I was like, can we do it, and we did.”Emphasising that the same principle should apply everywhere, Atluri said he would also adapt if he were directing a Hindi film. “So what I am trying to say is respect the work culture where you’re working. If I want to work on a Bollywood film, I’d work according to their working conditions. I’ll not just jump saying I work from 8 am, so everyone else should do it.”
Deepika Padukone’s exit sparked industry-wide debate
The discussion around working hours gained momentum after reports claimed that Deepika Padukone had stepped away from ‘Spirit’ and the sequel to ‘Kalki 2898 AD’ over her preference for an eight-hour workday. Later, Vyjayanthi Movies confirmed that Deepika would not return for the sequel to ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, stating that despite their successful collaboration on the first film, both parties were unable to arrive at a mutually agreeable arrangement.
Venky Atluri’s upcoming projects
On the professional front, Venky Atluri’s next directorial venture, ‘Vishwanath and Sons’, starring Suriya, Raveena Tandon and Mamitha Baiju, is slated to release in theatres on August 14. The filmmaker has also confirmed that a sequel to ‘Lucky Baskhar’ is in the pipeline, although he indicated that the project is still a couple of years away.
