Amid the ongoing debate around Deepika Padukone’s reported request for an 8-hour workday and the backlash from Animal director Sandeep Reddy Vanga, actor Surveen Chawla has come out in strong support of more humane working conditions in the film industry. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, she opened up about the challenges faced by working mothers, the need for balance, and why burnout in showbiz is a real and pressing issue. Excerpts…Surveen highlighted the urgent need for structural change, particularly when it comes to supporting women in the industry. She said, “I think the environment in the industry today must become more conducive for mothers—especially new mothers—to work. Being a new mother does come with a fair bit of restriction; there’s a lot to cater to when it comes to the child. We need to be mindful of that and try to support or accommodate them in a way that works for both the makers and the actor. I don’t think it’s something that should be questioned. I don’t even want to entertain why that happened or why it should happen. It’s simply the need—and so be it.”She further stressed that motherhood should not come at the cost of one’s passion or career. “I mean, you can’t really take away—how do I put it—I don’t think it’s fair to take away someone’s personal passion just because they’re a mother and might not be able to give enough time. In general too, this is the only industry with such extreme working hours. When we’re on shoot, it’s crazy—you’re gone for too long. There are days when you don’t see your family, your partner, your children, your relatives—for days on end. And I don’t think that’s fair,” she added.Drawing a comparison with other professions, Surveen emphasized the need for proper boundaries and a structured work culture. “I really feel we need proper rules and regulations to ensure that people in the industry can also find a balance. Like in other professions—you have fixed hours where you work, then you come home and have time for yourself or your family. It should be the same for us too.”“So I think this needs to be considered—not just for working mothers, but in general. It’s quite overwhelming. It can drive you insane. Burnouts are real, and many of us experience them, which is why we often need to take breaks. How cool would it be if we could go to work like in any other profession—put in seven to eight hours and still have a life to live each day? Wishful thinking, but I do hope we’re able to achieve that someday,” she concluded.
