Banita Sandhu supports Deepika Padukone, says she was ‘blacklisted’ by a film industry for speaking up against 18-hour work shift: ‘I stood up for myself’
In an interview with SCREEN, Banita Sandhu revealed working 18-hour shifts for a film's shoot early in her career. She also defended Deepika Padukone's stance amid Spirit row.
Actor Deepika Padukone and filmmaker Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s recent Spirit controversy has stirred a discussion in the film industry. With several celebs speaking up in support or against the actor’s 8-hour work shift demand, October actor Banita Sandhu is the latest one to weigh in on the matter. In an interview with SCREEN, the actor recalled she stood against the producers as they made her work 16-18 hour shifts for a film, after which she might have been ‘blacklisted’ from the industry. She also revealed that on the contrary, there are many unions to support actors and crew in Hollywood.
Banita, who has worked in a bunch Hollywood projects (Eternal Beauty (2019), Bridgerton Season 3) earlier, said that they have strict work hours in Hollywood. “It’s so important. One thing that we have in the West is really strong unions. They really protect actors and crew. I have always been a firm believer of 12-hour turnovers for everybody on sets. We are not at war, we are making movies. I don’t think anyone’s mental health should be sacrificed for that. At the end of the day, it’s a job and everyone deserves an adequate amount of rest and sleep. It’s basic human rights,” she shared.
Although the situation in Bollywood is getting better now, the actor, without naming the industry recalled how she was exploited with the long working hours. “With Hindi cinema, it is getting better now. But early in my career, when I really didn’t understand how industries work, I just assumed this was the way to work. I did 16-18 hours a day shifts, where producers aligned my schedule, I would shoot the whole day and then fly at night. I didn’t sleep for 24 hours straight. I stood up for myself and the crew. I told the producers that this is not okay. Maybe, I am blacklisted from that industry now, but I don’t care. I just believe in standing up for what’s right,” she said.
When asked about being offered opportunties in Hindi cinema, after receiving critical acclamation in October (2018), opposite Varun Dhawan. “During that time of my life, I wasn’t fully living in India. I came to shoots and I was also shooting a lot of western stuff, I was doing my college in London as well. I wasn’t as present as I could have been. There’s a perception that I went and came back, but for me, I never went away, I was always working, just in a different country,” she said.
Banita added, “After October released, I graduated and I shot for atleast 3 projects in a year – in Hollywood and South. I got work from all different parts of the world, maybe not much from Bollywood. I would have been filthy rich if I moved to India as that time. I remember many producers telling me we wanted you after October in so and so film, but we didn’t know where to find you. It works that way in Bollywood, if you’re out of sight, then out of mind.”
Banita Sandhu is often a target of trolling for her personal life. She was also rumored to be dating Punjabi singer AP Dhillon. “I literally don’t care. I have honestly been so blessed that people are actually really nice to me. Maybe one in a hundred, someone says something nasty. I have never been a very public person. I think that work speaks for itself. I have recently started being a bit more pro-active. Even me moving to India is a part of me trying. I grew up in the UK, I also wanted to live with my family. There’s paparazzi everywhere now, your life is more exposed. It has taken me a really long time to accept that I have a public life,” she expressed.
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Talking about her aspirations in the Bollywood industry, the actor said, “I would love to do a commercial movie. It’s something that I grew up watching. It would be great if I have one of my own songs. I have never really done a dance sequence, never got the opportunity. People don’t know but I used to dance a lot while growing up, I would love to do that.”
Banita Sandhu will next be seen in Zee5’s murder mystery Detective Sherdil. It also stars Diljit Dosanjh, Boman Irani, Diana Penty, and Sumeet Vyas.
Navya Kharbanda is an Entertainment Journalist and Cinematic Commentator at The Indian Express, where she specializes in bridging the gap between classic Bollywood heritage and contemporary Gen-Z perspectives. Her work is characterized by a blend of nostalgia-driven analysis and on-the-ground reporting from major film festivals and industry events.
Experience & Professional Background
Navya is a prominent voice on The Indian Express entertainment desk, known for her ability to secure candid interviews with both legendary veterans and rising stars. Her career highlights include:
The Indian Express: Covers a wide range of topics from high-stakes box office analysis to in-depth celebrity profiles. She is a regular at major events like the International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
SCREEN Interviews: Navya has conducted a series of "exclusive conversations" for SCREEN, featuring industry stalwarts like Anupam Kher, Vishal Bhardwaj, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, and Suhasini Maniratnam.
Archival Reporting: She is noted for her sensitive handling of archival interviews and retrospectives, recently covering the legacy of late superstar Dharmendra and the career reflections of the late Satish Shah.
Expertise & Focus Areas
Navya’s beat is uniquely defined by her "Gen-Z Revisit" series, where she re-evaluates cult classics through a modern lens. Her core areas of expertise include:
Cinematic Retrospectives: Analyzing 80s and 90s landmarks like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, and Mohabbatein to explore how themes of romance and rebellion resonate with today’s youth.
Industry Insights: Tracking the career resurgences of actors (e.g., Akshaye Khanna) and the evolving dynamics of film production and distribution in the OTT era.
On-Set Dynamics: Reporting on behind-the-scenes stories from major productions, ranging from the technical challenges of Mirzapur: The Film to the work ethics of superstars like Shah Rukh Khan.
South Indian Cinema: Expanding her coverage to include the impact of regional icons and the rise of pan-Indian fantasy epics like Magadheera.
Authoritativeness & Trust
Navya Kharbanda has established her authority by consistently providing "Journalism of Courage" in the entertainment sphere. Whether she is interrogating the sexism in patriarchal classics or reporting on the fair-pay debates at international film festivals, her work prioritizes factual accuracy and critical objectivity. Her ability to synthesize deep industry history with modern audience trends makes her a trusted source for readers seeking both entertainment news and thoughtful cultural commentary. ... Read More
