Strain on Stardom

Bollywood's glittering world hides a grey zone of undefined work hours; urgent reforms must be introduced to ensure flexibility and fairness in the working conditions

- RAAVI BIRBAL

The debate in Bollywood regarding work hours does need attention. A middle-path solution for having ethical boundaries while allowing individuals to thrive and realise their full potential, and businesses to get full returns—needs to be drawn out. The entertainment industry has given us a lot over the years. A law that caters to their lives while maintaining the economics of showbiz is needed.

While it is true that all leading examples of individuals who have excelled in their respective fields have spent immense time working, it is also true that working of one's own free will—when it brings joy—is different from compulsively working for undefined hours due to a lack of regulations. Moreover, spending time learning, practising, or working from the comfort of offices or homes, with optional work hour choices and incentivised luxurious payouts or generous overtime, is different from working in varied locations under tough conditions. In fact, even when payouts are substantial, some boundaries ought to be defined.

Midway, clear regulations covering the grey areas in the glamour industry are needed. The argument that, because the industry brings pizzazz and fortune to some, work hours shouldn't ever be capped may prove unethical for many. Conversely, simply capping work hours with stringent limits and without any flexibility may make it unviable for production houses and businesses that spend colossal amounts, while also curtailing the rights of those who are willing—or need—to work longer, especially in the initial years.