Why Saurabh Shukla thinks strict 8-hour shifts don't work. Exclusive

Veteran actor Saurabh Shukla addressed the demand for eight-hour work shifts in the Hindi film industry. In an exclusive interview, he also reacted to AR Rahman's remarks on the lack of work in Hindi cinema and spoke about why he has stepped away from directing.

Veteran actor Saurabh Shukla has shared a candid take on work culture in the entertainment industry. Known for his sharp wit and thoughtful insights, Shukla said strict eight-hour shifts aren’t always the answer. His comments came as the actor opened up on Season 2 of his latest series Bindiya Ke Bahubali, co-starring Ranvir Shorey.

In an exclusive chat with India Today, Shukla also shared why he has stepped away from direction. He further shared his take on AR Rahman's controversy surrounding his comment about not getting enough work in Hindi cinema.

On whether the team followed an eight-hour work schedule, Shukla said that there is a human limit to work, but measuring everyone by the same yardstick isn’t fair. For him, creative flow matters more than rigid schedules.

“If you're in a flow, I really think that, suddenly, if you're going half an hour or one hour beyond your working hours, then you should not crib about it because, in bargaining, you're getting much more. That continuity of thought and continuity of that flow,” he said.

His logic stemmed from the fact he believed that the end goal for actors should be the work they do, and not the hours they spent at work.

“It (time limit) should be there, but that is not the main thing. The main thing is the piece you're creating. Rather than focusing on the watch – that oh! It's 6 or 8, and I have to go home – focus more on the work you're doing.”