Highlights
- Rashmika says she has learned the hard way that overworking is unhealthy
- The actor admits she struggles to say no to her team and often takes on too much
- Deepika Padukone’s decision to prioritise structured work hours has sparked wider debate in the industry
Rashmika opens up about overworking
Actor Rashmika Mandanna has weighed in on the growing conversation around working hours in the film industry, echoing Deepika Padukone’s recent remarks about the need for more balanced schedules.
Padukone’s reported decision to step away from Spirit and the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD over her insistence on eight-hour workdays has fuelled discussion about the pressure actors face to maintain long, demanding shoots.
Producer Sreenivasa Kumar had recently praised Rashmika for not insisting on fixed work hours while filming her upcoming movie The Girlfriend. But the actor herself says that approach has taken a toll.
“It’s not worth it,” says Rashmika
In an interview with Gulte, Rashmika admitted that her tendency to overwork has been unsustainable.
“I overwork, and I’m telling you it’s highly not suggestible. It’s not sustainable, don’t do it. Do what’s comfortable for you, do what’s right for you, get those eight hours, get those nine or ten hours also, because trust me, that’s going to save you later,” she said.
Rashmika added that she has experienced both extremes unstructured long days and balanced work schedules and now believes the latter is essential for wellbeing.
Balancing work and personal life
The Pushpa star explained that much of her overworking comes from being unable to say no to her team or turn down projects.
“If I could choose for myself, I would say, please don’t make us actors do that. Like offices have 9-to-5, let us have that. Because there’s still a family life I want to focus on, there’s still my sleep that I want to get in, and I still want to work out so that later on I’m not regretting it,” she said.
Rashmika added that while she is thinking about her long-term health and happiness, she still finds herself taking on too much work.
A busy year ahead
Rashmika Mandanna has had a packed year, featuring in films such as Chhaava, Sikandar, Kuberaa and Thamma. Her next release, The Girlfriend, directed by Rahul Ravindran, is set to hit cinemas on 5 November.
