For years, the film industry has worn “exhaustion” like a badge of honor. We’ve all heard the stories: actors and crews pulling all-nighters, 18-hour shifts back-to-back, and the constant pressure to keep the cameras rolling at any cost. But Suniel Shetty, a man who has spent over three decades in the limelight, is calling for a reality check.
In a recent discussion about work culture, Shetty made his stance clear: working 12 to 18 hours a day isn’t just difficult—it’s unsustainable.
Suniel Shetty’s argument isn’t about being “lazy”; it’s about being effective. He believes that if you want the best version of an artist or a technician, you have to give them space to breathe. “If it’s 9 to 6, I expect it to be 9 to 6,” he noted, emphasizing that a clear schedule leads to better output.
He admits that he is willing to extend himself to a 12-hour shift (9 to 9) if a producer is in a genuine pinch, but that should be the exception, not the rule. When work hours stretch beyond that, the human body and mind simply begin to decline.
At 64, Shetty is famously one of the fittest actors in India. He attributes his longevity not to overworking, but to a disciplined routine that includes rest and recovery.
Shetty candidly shared that without his designated breaks or lunch, he becomes “the most irritable person.” This isn’t just a personal quirk; it’s a biological reality. When hunger and fatigue set in, creativity and patience fly out the window.
For Shetty, the gym isn’t just about looking good; it’s a lifestyle that requires time. By overextending work hours, people often sacrifice the very things—like exercise and sleep—that allow them to work effectively in the first place.
The debate over working hours in India has been heated lately, with some industry leaders advocating for 70-hour work weeks. Shetty’s perspective offers a necessary counter-narrative. He argues that while “pushing boundaries” is important for growth, it shouldn’t come at the cost of one’s physical and mental well-being.
He believes that the industry—and society at large—needs to realize that you cannot achieve anything meaningful by “constantly pushing your limits” to the point of breaking. To know such latest updates tuned to tellyboosters.com Thank you!

