Latest news with #Banita
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Banita Sandhu supports Deepika Padukone's 8-hour shift demand, recalls fighting 18-hour work shifts: ‘I am blacklisted'
Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone's reported exit from Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Spirit has sparked a debate about an eight-hour shift for actors in the industry. While many actors supported the demand, others linked it to individual perspectives. Banita Sandhu, who has worked on both Hollywood and Bollywood projects, recalled speaking out against 16–18-hour shifts in Bollywood. (Also Read: Banita Sandhu says she was body shamed: 'They said I was too skinny to be attractive') In an interview with Screen, Banita highlighted the importance of strong industry regulations, noting that one of the key advantages in the West is the presence of powerful unions that protect both actors and crew members. She recalled consistently advocating for 12-hour turnovers on sets, stressing that filmmaking is not a war and no one's mental health should be compromised in the process. According to her, the job should never come at the cost of basic human rights. She further recalled speaking out against 16–18-hour shifts in Bollywood and said, "With Hindi cinema, it is getting better now. But early in my career, when I really didn't understand how industries work, I just assumed this was the way to work. I did 16–18 hours a day shifts, where producers aligned my schedule, I would shoot the whole day and then fly at night. I didn't sleep for 24 hours straight. I stood up for myself and the crew. I told the producers that this is not okay. Maybe, I am blacklisted from that industry now, but I don't care. I just believe in standing up for what's right." A post shared by Banita Sandhu (@banitasandhu) She recalled how, after October, she wasn't fully living in India — flying in for shoots while also working on international projects and completing her college studies in London. She said, "I wasn't as present as I could have been. There's a perception that I went and came back, but for me, I never went away, I was always working, just in a different country. After October released, I graduated and I shot for at least 3 projects in a year – in Hollywood and South. I got work from all different parts of the world, maybe not much from Bollywood. I would have been filthy rich if I moved to India at that time. I remember many producers telling me we wanted you after October in so and so film, but we didn't know where to find you. It works that way in Bollywood, if you're out of sight, then out of mind." For the unversed, Deepika was supposed to star opposite Prabhas in Spirit. However, according to reports, the actor's demands — including a share in the film's profits, an eight-hour working day, and more — didn't sit well with the filmmaker, leading to her exit from the project. The film now stars Triptii Dimri in the lead role. Meanwhile, Banita is currently seen in the film Detective Sherdil, starring alongside Diljit Dosanjh, Boman Irani, Diana Penty, Ratna Pathak Shah, and Chunky Panday in key roles. The comedy whodunnit, directed by Ravi Chhabriya, is available to stream on ZEE5.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Banita Sandhu shares how Ratna Pathak Shah inspired her on the sets of 'Detective Sherdil': 'She brings a theatre-like concentration to film acting...'
Banita Sandhu and Ratna Pathak Banita Sandhu is ready to take the waves in 'Detective Sherdil,' a bizarro comedy thriller that's chock-a-block with a power packed cast. As the film prepares for its digital release on on June 20, 2025, Banita talked about her favorite moments from the shoot in an interview with Bollywood Bubble. Recalling her experience on set, she talked about how working alongside legends like Ratna Pathak Shah and Boman Irani was an experience that made her learn and perform better. Thankful for the cast Banita recalled experiencing the richness of working with such an accomplished cast that included both veteran actors and newcomers as one of the best aspects of the project. She noted how debutant Arjun Tanwar was ultra committed and prepared and that his method for tackling scenes left an enduring impression on her. "He was so ready that it was inspiring to observe and learn from him," she said. Ratna Pathak Shah's dramatic richness left her speechless When questioned about whom she liked the most, Banita didn't think twice before mentioning Ratna Pathak Shah. Most impressive was the fact that Ratna was able to remain in her character's world without the use of playback monitors. "She brings a theatre-like concentration to film acting, she doesn't watch playback and remains completely in the moment," Banita divulged, going on to say that Ratna's balance of emotional intensity and strength really touched her. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo Boman Irani's style of improvisation taught her to be spontaneous Banita also reminisced about Boman Irani's unorthodox approach. "Boman used to start improvising before they even started the camera," she said. "It placed us in a rhythm where everyone felt comfortable. I began doing that too, and it allowed me to get into moments that I might not have found otherwise." A powerhouse team, a promising release Directed by first-timer Ravi Chhabria and supported by producers Ali Abbas Zafar, 'Detective Sherdil' is going to be a rollercoaster of mystery, mayhem and humor. The film also features Diana Penty, Chunky Panday, Ratna Pathak Shah, Sumeet Vyas and Diljit Dosanjh who is once again joining hands with Zafar after their critically praised film Jogi. As Banita Sandhu ventures into various roles, 'Detective Sherdil' appears to be a project where she was assisted both as a person and as a professional, learning from some of the best in the business.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Banita Sandhu opens up about her bond with Boman Irani: 'He's an incredibly compassionate and loving man'
Banita Sandhu is all set to appear in her upcoming film Detective Sherdil, in which she plays the daughter of Boman Irani 's character. She recently opened up about the bond she shared with Boman Irani and how it helped make her performance even more heartfelt. Elaborating on her role, Banita shared that playing the daughter of such a strong and influential man was deeply emotional and layered. She expressed that the father-daughter relationship in the movie came naturally to her and felt profoundly real. Banita said that her bond with Boman felt natural and genuine. The role challenged her as an actor and allowed her to explore emotions she hadn't tapped into before. 'Working with Boman sir was an absolute delight. He really makes my job feel so much easier. I feel those exchanges between us—the glances, the moments—felt real. I didn't feel like I had to force anything with him. He's an incredibly compassionate and loving man, and he also has all the dad jokes ready, so I naturally felt inclined towards him in terms of our dynamic. Honestly, my scenes with him were some of my favourite moments from the shoot—they were really special,' Banita told Bollywood Bubble. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo She further spoke about her experience working with director Ravi Chhabria. 'I have to say, considering this is Ravi sir's first movie, he was so hands-on and grounded—it didn't feel like he was a first-time director. Especially since he was dealing with such a huge ensemble cast. As I mentioned, he had done his research on the deaf community, and he chose for these characters to be deaf for a very specific reason. He wanted that to come through, and to stay true to his vision, he always made himself available to me. He even came up to me two weeks before the shoot began. I think he really held my hand and made me feel like a priority, because I know Shanti was a very special character for him.' Shot in Budapest, Detective Sherdil promises to be a rollercoaster of laughs, clues, and complete chaos. The film features Diana Penty, Boman Irani, Chunky Panday, and Ratna Pathak Shah, along with Banita Sandhu and Sumeet Vyas. The Diljit Dosanjh starrer is packed with an array of talented actors.
News18
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Banita Sandhu BACKS Deepika Padukone's Stance On Work Hours: 'Basic Human Rights Shouldn't...'
Last Updated: Banita Sandhu opens up on toxic film industry work hours, 24-hour shoots, and why she believes standing up for humane conditions is worth the risk. As the industry continues to buzz over Deepika Padukone's alleged demand for an 8-hour workday on Spirit, the conversation around mental health and working conditions in Bollywood is finally gaining momentum. Joining the chorus of voices advocating for reform is actor Banita Sandhu, who in a recent interview with SCREEN delivered a heartfelt critique of the industry's exploitative practices—drawing from personal experiences that left her physically and emotionally exhausted. Banita, best known for her poignant debut in Shoojit Sircar's October, revealed she once endured 16-18 hour shoot days while working on a Hindi film early in her career. What's more shocking is that, according to her, producers deliberately planned her schedule in a way that denied her rest. 'I would shoot the entire day and then be on a flight at night. I didn't sleep for 24 hours straight," she recalled. 'At the time, I didn't know any better. I thought this was just the way things worked." But something didn't sit right with her. And unlike many young actors who choose to stay silent for fear of losing work, Banita took a stand—not just for herself, but for the entire crew. 'I stood up to the producers and told them that this is not okay. Maybe I'm blacklisted now, but I don't care," she said, unapologetically. 'I just believe in standing up for what's right." The price for that integrity may have been steep, but Banita wears it like armour. 'It's basic human rights we're talking about. Everyone—whether you're an actor or a light boy—deserves rest, dignity, and care." In the same breath, Banita highlighted the stark contrast she observed while working in international projects such as Eternal Beauty and Season 3 of Bridgerton. She praised the strong union culture in Hollywood that fiercely protects not just actors, but every member of the cast and crew. 'In the West, there are strict rules. We have 12-hour turnovers, mandatory rest periods, and proper contracts. It's not a free-for-all," she explained. 'I've always been a firm believer in those standards. We're not at war—we're making movies. Nothing, not even art, should cost people their health." While she acknowledges that things in Bollywood are 'slowly getting better," Banita stresses that reform is still needed—especially to protect young talent who might be too afraid to speak out. 'If I had known what I know now, I would have spoken up even earlier. But in that moment, it felt like the only option was to grind through it." Despite her past experience, Banita is not closing the door on Bollywood. In fact, she hopes to embrace more commercial films—on her own terms. 'I'd love to do a full-on Bollywood movie, with songs and dancing. That's what I grew up watching," she said, her eyes lighting up. 'People don't know, but I used to dance a lot as a kid. It would be a dream to have one of my own songs someday." She's also returning to the Indian screen soon, playing a key role in Detective Sherdil, Zee5's upcoming murder mystery alongside Diljit Dosanjh, Boman Irani, Diana Penty, and Sumeet Vyas. While the film marks a return to home turf, Banita is doing it her way—with a firm resolve to not compromise on the principles that matter. First Published: June 19, 2025, 18:23 IST
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Bridgerton' actress Banita Sandhu supports Deepika Padukone in the 8-hour work demand, reveals standing up against 16-18 hours shift: 'I am blacklisted now'
Banita Sandhu who started out her career with Varun Dhawan starrer 'October' was recently seen 'Bridgerton 3'. Banita who has now seen how things function in Bollywood and Hollywood both, said in a recent interview that perhaps she's now banned in the Hindi film industry because she stood up against producers. At the moment, the 8-hour work shift is a huge talking point, after it was reported that Deepika Padukone had demanded that she would only work for eight hours. This was cited to be one of the reasons for her conflict with Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Thus, now, many industry insiders are sharing their views on the same. Banita opened up during a chat with Screen, "It's so important. One thing that we have in the West is really strong unions. They really protect actors and crew. I have always been a firm believer of 12-hour turnovers for everybody on sets. We are not at war, we are making movies. I don't think anyone's mental health should be sacrificed for that. At the end of the day, it's a job and everyone deserves an adequate amount of rest and sleep. It's basic human rights." She revealed further, "With Hindi cinema, it is getting better now. But early in my career, when I really didn't understand how industries work, I just assumed this was the way to work. I did 16-18 hours a day shifts, where producers aligned my schedule, I would shoot the whole day and then fly at night. I didn't sleep for 24 hours straight. I stood up for myself and the crew. I told the producers that this is not okay. Maybe, I am blacklisted from that industry now, but I don't care. I just believe in standing up for what's right." Talking about getting recognition and more work after 'October', she pointed out, "During that time of my life, I wasn't fully living in India. I came to shoots and I was also shooting a lot of western stuff, I was doing my college in London as well. I wasn't as present as I could have been. There's a perception that I went and came back, but for me, I never went away, I was always working, just in a different country." She further added, "After October released, I graduated and I shot for atleast 3 projects in a year – in Hollywood and South. I got work from all different parts of the world, maybe not much from Bollywood. I would have been filthy rich if I moved to India as that time. I remember many producers telling me we wanted you after October in so and so film, but we didn't know where to find you. It works that way in Bollywood, if you're out of sight, then out of mind. "
