By Admin 
The issue of 12-hour shifts during shooting has become a hot topic in the film industry. Some are calling it right and some are calling it wrong. Meanwhile, film producer-director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri, who is vocal on any subject, spoke openly to IANS. During this, he expressed serious concern over the problem of long working hours in the film industry.
He said that working shifts of 12 hours or more is a big and serious problem in Bollywood. Despite being a creative field, this work has become like a factory, where people get tired and their creativity ends.
Agnihotri told that it is very difficult to work with make-up, wig, mustache and beard. Make-up also starts coming off after seven-eight hours. Prosthetics start becoming loose and the person becomes physically and mentally tired. A person’s energy is different after evening, whereas it is different in the morning, but to save money, an attempt is made to get more work done at less expense. In India, people tolerate it because of scarcity. They also have less information about their rights and there are no strict rules.
The director said that it is impossible to do creative work continuously for 12 hours. Giving examples, he said that if you ask a painter to keep painting for 12 hours or ask a singer to keep singing, he will also get tired, unless he is drunk. Films are running like a factory, where 12-hour shifts stretch to 13-14 hours. In a city like Mumbai, it takes one or two more hours to travel, making the total work time 14-16 hours. Next day you have to wake up and come again in the morning. This is especially difficult for actors. They always have to look beautiful, happy and fresh. How is this possible after long hours.
He believes that change is necessary so that films can be made better and people can remain healthy. While sharing his own experience, Vivek Ranjan said that after one shift, even my creativity ends. My brain doesn’t work, I get emotionally tired along with being physically tired. There should be deep thinking on this issue. Unions, organizations and all parties of the film industry should sit together. It is necessary to find a solution by discussing. Working for long hours not only spoils health but also affects creativity and quality.