Mahima Makwana backs structured film shoots to guard actors' mental health
Synopsis
Mahima Makwana is the latest Bollywood voice to push back against the industry's notoriously unstructured schedules, arguing that a defined routine is non-negotiable for actors' mental health. Her remarks land at a charged moment — weeks after Deepika Padukone's demand for an 8-hour shift reignited a debate the industry has long preferred to sidestep.
Key Takeaways
Mahima Makwana called for structured shoot schedules to protect actors' mental health in an interview on 20 July .
She noted that an actor's ability to demand better conditions often depends on their career stage and bargaining power .
Her remarks come amid renewed debate over fixed working hours in Bollywood, following Deepika Padukone's public demand for an 8-hour shift .
Makwana stressed the need to balance individual needs with the financial and logistical pressures faced by filmmakers and crew.
She will next be seen in 'Musafir Cafe' , premiering 24 July , alongside Vikrant Massey and Vedika Pinto .
Actress Mahima Makwana has called for greater structure and discipline within the Indian entertainment industry, arguing that a defined routine is essential for actors to maintain their mental well-being. Speaking in an interview on 20 July, she said the unpredictable nature of film and television schedules makes it harder for performers to stay in the right headspace — and that the industry needs to address this more seriously.
What Mahima Said
'I feel a particular kind of structure is always important so that our mental health is also in place because it's a kind of profession that demands you to be in your best headspace more than anything,' she said. 'Our profession is such that neither it is Monday nor it is Sunday as a fixed off day.'
She acknowledged that awareness around healthier work practices is growing, but noted that an actor's ability to push for better conditions often depends on where they stand in their career. 'A particular kind of structure is being taken into consideration, but that also happens where you are in your career and how you can voice it out and how do you find a middle ground with your filmmakers as well,' she added.
Balancing Needs Across the Set
Makwana was careful to frame her views with empathy for all stakeholders. 'Here I am speaking from my point of view, but I also have to consider everybody else's point of view where people have money, people have hard work. So you find a middle ground, you find what works for you and therefore you go about it. At least that's my take on it,' she explained.
Her remarks reflect a broader tension in Bollywood between creative and commercial pressures on one side, and the physical and psychological demands placed on cast and crew on the other.
The Deepika Padukone Backdrop
Makwana's comments come amid a long-standing industry debate over fixed working hours — a conversation that gained fresh momentum after Deepika Padukone publicly advocated for an 8-hour shift citing her responsibilities as a new mother. Critics and industry insiders have argued for years that marathon shoots, often stretching beyond 12–16 hours, take a measurable toll on mental and physical health. This is not the first time the issue has surfaced; similar calls were made following high-profile cases of actor burnout in both Bollywood and regional film industries.
Musafir Cafe and What's Next
On the professional front, Makwana is set to appear in 'Musafir Cafe', premiering on 24 July. The project also stars Vikrant Massey and Vedika Pinto, and explores themes of love, relationships, heartbreak, and self-discovery. 'It just makes you want to live a little. It makes you want to... can I just pause and breathe and be in the present moment,' she said of the show. As the mental health conversation in Indian entertainment continues to evolve, voices like Makwana's are adding weight to demands for systemic, not just individual, change.
Point of View
She inadvertently exposes the power asymmetry at the heart of the problem: those who need protection most are those least positioned to demand it. Deepika Padukone could push for an 8-hour shift; a newcomer cannot. Until the industry moves from individual negotiation to collective norms — through guild agreements or regulatory frameworks — these conversations will remain aspirational rather than actionable.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Mahima Makwana say about mental health in the film industry?
Mahima Makwana said that a structured routine is essential for actors' mental well-being, given that the profession demands performers to be in their best headspace at all times. She noted that the industry's lack of fixed schedules makes this particularly challenging.
Why is the working hours debate significant in Bollywood right now?
The debate gained fresh momentum after Deepika Padukone publicly demanded an 8-hour workday, citing her duties as a new mother. Industry observers say marathon shoots of 12–16 hours have long contributed to burnout among cast and crew.
Does Mahima Makwana support fixed working hours for all actors?
She supports the principle of structured schedules but acknowledged that implementation depends on an actor's career stage and their ability to negotiate with filmmakers. She said finding a 'middle ground' that accounts for everyone's pressures is key.
What is 'Musafir Cafe' and when does it release?
'Musafir Cafe' is an upcoming show starring Mahima Makwana, Vikrant Massey, and Vedika Pinto, set to premiere on 24 July. The show explores themes of love, relationships, heartbreak, and self-discovery.
Who else has spoken about mental health and work conditions in Bollywood?
Deepika Padukone is among the most prominent voices, having called for an 8-hour shift owing to her responsibilities as a mother. The issue has also been raised following reported cases of actor burnout across Bollywood and regional film industries.
