 "What Netflix ‘Saare Jahan Se Accha’ cast; Pratik Gandhi, Anup Soni, Sunny Hinduja said about Deepika Padukone’s 8-hour shift?")
Saare Jahan Se Accha tells the story of Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) agent Vishnu Shankar, who undertakes a perilous mission deep inside enemy territory: Pakistan. While inspired by real events, the series is a fictional drama and not a direct biopic of any specific individual or event.
Set in the volatile 1970s, when a single move could tip the balance of power and trigger a global nuclear war, Saare Jahan Se Accha unfolds as India’s R&AW and Pakistan’s ISI clash in a deadly game of strategy.
Talking about 8-hour work shift Pratik Gandhi mentioned that after sometime fatigue sets in. “Our job is constantly demanding us to create emotions. When I am creating an emotion, my body doesn’t understand that I am acting. I constantly do this for 6 to 7 hours. But after 8-hours it is extremely impossible to generate any magic. We try with all our possibilities, but it is tough. This is from the actors’ point of view. With all logic, it is almost impossible to work for 12-hours. That applies for all industries.”
Pratik believes that 8-hour shift can magically transform creative imagination. “Even if we are working for 12-hours, the productive time is not more than 8 to 9-hours. Forget about actors, I am also talking on behalf of other departments especially the technicians, I totally feel for them.”
Anup Soni adds to the conversation, “Even if you give financial benefits to technicians, we need to understand that eventually it is your body. And body needs rest. Technicians are the people who are on their feet all the time. As an actor, you still get time to rest if your shot is not there. There are times when we are free for two-hours also in between. Some shots which doesn’t require exhaustive performance, I generally do it when I am a little tired.”
Pratik further added, “It is not that we don’t want to work for long hours. But even if I want to, it will show on my face that I am exhausted. There will be a swelling on my face or eyes. So, even if I want to, but beyond a point my body will not allow me to do that.”
With budgets shrinking, says Pratik, “I guess people are trying to achieve me in less amount of time.”
WATCH the full interview below:
Lachmi Deb Roy is the Entertainment Editor of Firstpost, Network18. She reviews films and series with a gender lens. She is a 'Rotten Tomatoes' certified critic. Her interviews are called 'Not Just Bollywood' because she takes a huge interest in world cinema. She has been the winner of the prestigious Laadli Media and Advertising Award for Gender Sensitivity for two consecutive years, 2020 and 2021. OTT over theatrical releases is her preference unless and until it's a King Khan film. She takes interest in fashion, food and art reviews too.