Bollywood vs Malayalam industry work culture
Kalyani shared her views during a conversation with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ananya Panday at The Hollywood Reporter India. While discussing the ongoing debate about working hours in the film industry, sparked by Deepika Padukone’s demand for eight-hour shifts, the actor revealed that the Malayalam industry traditionally follows much longer work schedules.
According to Kalyani, film shoots in the Malayalam industry often last up to 16 hours a day. She explained that shooting schedules usually begin early in the morning, around 6 a.m., and can continue until late in the evening, sometimes as late as 9:30 p.m. In many cases, she added, there were also no Sundays off, which made the schedule extremely demanding for everyone involved in filmmaking.
The actor pointed out that such long working hours affect not only actors but the entire film crew. From technicians to safety staff and production teams, everyone on set has to arrive early and stay throughout the long shooting day. She suggested that the physical and mental strain of extended work hours can eventually affect the quality of the final film as well.
However, Kalyani also shared a positive update. She said the Malayalam film industry has recently taken a step towards improving working conditions. According to her, there has been a decision to reduce the daily work schedule from 16 hours to 12 hours. Though the change is still being implemented, the actor described it as a huge achievement for the industry. She said many people working in Malayalam cinema were happy about this shift, as it could bring better balance and rest for those on set.
Reacts to Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift
At the same time, Kalyani acknowledged that filmmaking is not always predictable. She explained that a film shoot depends on many external factors such as weather, location permissions, and actors’ availability. Sometimes a scene might be completed in a single take, while on other days the shoot could extend late into the night. Because of these uncertainties, she believes it is difficult to strictly limit cinema to fixed working hours.
Despite these challenges, the actor stressed the importance of respect and proper rest for everyone working on a film. She added that when influential actors set certain standards or expectations, it can encourage the industry to find ways to support healthier work environments.
Meanwhile, on the professional front, Kalyani has a busy lineup ahead. The actor is set to appear in Lokah Chapter 2 and the upcoming film Marshal alongside Karthi. She has also begun work on another new project, though the official announcement about the film is yet to be made. Stay tuned!
