They don't care if you faint: Elli AvrRam calls out Bollywood's rushed culture

After working across multiple film industries, including Hindi and South, actor Elli AvrRam reflected on what truly sets them apart – especially when it comes to on-set culture and opportunities for women.

The 35-year-old actor, who made her Bollywood debut with Mickey Virus, has also featured in Tamil, Kannada, Marathi and Telugu films. In a recent conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Elli said that while her experiences have been positive across industries, she finds South Indian film sets noticeably calmer.

She explained that the work environment in the South feels more structured and less chaotic. “I have had good experiences in both the South and Bollywood. But I have found it more peaceful on set in the South,” she said, adding that communication there is often handled through walkie-talkies rather than shouting. In contrast, she described Bollywood sets as more rushed, recalling that actors are often called for shots even during breaks.

"My experience in Bollywood has been that even if you are eating, you are told your shot is ready. It's like, we don't care if you've eaten or if you faint, the shot is ready," she continued.

Elli clarified that her observations are not meant to compare industries, but to highlight differences in functioning. She also noted that a recent project with Netflix offered a more supportive work environment, which reshaped some of her earlier perceptions.

Speaking about roles for women, Elli said she believes South Indian cinema offers more scope for content-driven characters, while Bollywood can still lean towards typecasting. She credited her role in Malang for helping change how filmmakers perceived her, adding that it allowed her to showcase a more serious side as an actor.

Beyond Hindi cinema, Elli has appeared in films such as Naane Varuvean and Conjuring Kannappan, continuing to build a diverse body of work across industries.