This is an archive article published on July 17, 2025
Ali Fazal says filmmaking is not corporate job, reacts to debate stirred by Deepika Padukone: ‘Genre changes working style’
Amid the ongoing 8-hour shift for actors debate, Ali Fazal told SCREEN it is harsh to ask people to take sides as different projects have different needs.
Deepika Padukone’s decision to walk out of Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit has sparked a discussion around actors working longer than they need to on film sets. Over the last few weeks, several actors like Ajay Devgn, Kajol, and Sonakshi Sinha backed the new mom and voiced support for her. Meanwhile, filmmakers Kussh Sinha, Suneel Darshan and Mohit Suri believed it was unfair to blame the directors. Now, in an exclusive conversation with SCREEN, actor Ali Fazal has shared his take on the subject. Ali, who co-produced Girls Will Be Girls along with his wife, actor Richa Chadha, under their banner Pushing Buttons production, said, “(Filmmaking) is not a corporate job.”
Claiming he doesn’t know much about the ongoing debate in the industry, Ali shared, “I am pro everybody being satisfied. At the end of the day, we are creators. This is not like a corporate job. No offence to them, but it is not. Creating things takes a lot of compassion. It needs to be mutually decided between actors, creators and technicians, ‘What is the displacement of the hours in that particular project.'”
He added that every project has different requirements and schedules are tailored accordingly. “Sometimes, some projects don’t require much because it is VFX-heavy. Some projects require more because it is action, and drama. The genre changes the working style. That’s the kind of industry we are in. You can’t put a template. This is all subjective. This is not for others to discuss and throw their opinions. It is harsh asking people to take sides. It is not fair.”
Previously, Kussh Sinha said in an interview with Zoom, “An actor is not the only stakeholder in a film. There’s the producer, director, DOP, production manager, location manager, and many more who are equally important to the process.”
Kussh, who is the son of veteran star Shatrughan Sinha (who is famously known for being tardy on sets) added, “If an actor insists on working only a certain way, and this is discussed and agreed upon beforehand, then great. But if it’s power play, ‘my way or the highway,’ I don’t think that works. A film is a collective effort, and one person dictating timelines can create issues.” Meanwhile, filmmaker Suneel Darshan told IANS, “I believe one should work only with those people who love your film more than you do. There was a time when Deepika was not a part of the industry. You will be able to find several new talents.”
Jyothi Jha is an incisive Copy Editor and multi-platform journalist at The Indian Express, where she specializes in high-stakes entertainment reporting and cinematic analysis. With over six years of diverse experience across India’s leading media houses, she brings a rigorous, ethics-first approach to digital storytelling and editorial curation.
Experience & Career
Jyothi’s career is characterized by its breadth and depth across the media landscape. Before joining the editorial team at The Indian Express, she honed her expertise covering the entertainment beat for premier national broadcasters, including NDTV, Republic Media, and TV9. Her professional journey is not limited to digital text; she has a proven track record as an on-air anchor and has successfully managed production teams within the high-pressure segments of Politics and Daily News. This 360-degree view of newsroom operations allows her to navigate the complexities of modern journalism with veteran precision.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Guided by the Orwellian principle that "Journalism is printing what someone else does not want you to do," Jyothi focuses on transparent, accountability-driven reporting. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Deconstruction: Analyzing the social subtext of mainstream Bollywood and South Indian cinema (e.g., Kantara, Masaan, Dabangg).
Toxic Masculinity & Gender Studies: A vocal critic of regressive tropes in Indian cinema, she often highlights the industry's treatment of women and social progress.
Box Office & Industry Economics: Providing data-backed predictions and analysis of film performance and superstar fee structures.
Exclusive Multimedia Coverage: Conducting deep-dive interviews and long-form features that bridge the gap between archival history and modern pop culture.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Jyothi Jha has established herself as a trusted voice by prioritizing substance over PR-driven narratives. Her background in hard news and political production provides her with a unique lens through which she views the entertainment industry—not merely as gossip, but as a reflection of societal values. Readers rely on her for "Journalism of Courage," knowing her critiques are rooted in a deep respect for the craft and a refusal to settle for superficiality. Her ability to pivot between daily news and specialized entertainment analysis makes her a versatile and authoritative pillar of The Indian Express newsroom.
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Ali Fazal talks about 8-hour shift in film industry. (Photo: Ali Fazal/Instagram)