14-hour shifts, no lunch breaks: Archana Puran Singh slams film set work culture

Archana Puran Singh has spoken out about long working hours and lack of basic facilities on film sets, bringing attention to the challenges faced by both actors and crew. Along with her Toaster co-stars Rajkummar Rao, Sanya Malhotra and Abhishek Banerjee, she highlighted how extended shifts and inadequate amenities continue to be a concern in the industry.

In a conversation with News18, Archana pointed out that shoots often go far beyond scheduled hours, sometimes stretching well past 12 hours. She noted that such long shifts take a toll, especially on crew members who work under physically demanding conditions for extended periods.

“Even then, they expect us to extend our work hours to 13-14 hours and skip lunch breaks. This is a kind of kanjoosi (stinginess) only. Kanjoosi is a mentality. How can you not let the light men, who hold their equipment and stand under the sun for hours, eat? They don’t have assistants like us bringing them fruits. It’s terrible,” she said.

She added that some production houses have earned a reputation for being extremely restrictive with food and basic comforts, with crew members often informally referring to them based on how limited the meal portions were. According to her, this reflects a deeper issue that continues to persist in the industry.

The conversation around work culture in films has been gaining momentum, especially after Deepika Padukone reportedly stepped away from projects like Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD over her demand for an eight-hour workday. She has previously spoken about the need for healthier and more sustainable working conditions.

Archana Puran Singh is currently seen in Toaster, directed by Vivek Daschaudary. The film is a crime comedy available on Netflix.