The producers of Prabhas' upcoming horror movie, "The Raja Saab," have inadvertently entered the ongoing debate about working hours in the film industry. This discussion gained momentum following Deepika Padukone's reported departure from "Spirit," another Prabhas starrer directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga. Padukone's exit was allegedly due to disagreements over her demand for an eight-hour workday, among other factors.

At the recent teaser launch event for "The Raja Saab" in Hyderabad, the filmmakers addressed the practicality of implementing eight-hour shifts on set. They revealed that while the actors typically worked eight-hour shifts, the crew members, including the director, often worked much longer hours to ensure the quality of the film. Director Maruthi stated that the actors would work for eight hours, sometimes with different actors in different shifts. However, he emphasized that the crew consistently worked 18-hour days, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., to capture the necessary content.

One of the producers, Prasad, highlighted the significant effort invested behind the scenes. He mentioned that "The Raja Saab" involved nearly 300 days of VFX work and a massive indoor set, suggesting the immense dedication required from the crew. The makers stressed that this commitment from the entire team, including the director of photography and the production designer, would be evident when audiences watch the movie in theaters.

The controversy surrounding Deepika Padukone's departure from "Spirit" stemmed from reports that she had requested an eight-hour workday, a substantial fee increase, profit sharing, and a reluctance to speak Telugu lines. Some reports also indicated demands for a 28-member personal entourage and a private jet for travel. These requests allegedly created friction with Sandeep Reddy Vanga, who is also co-producing "Spirit" alongside Bhushan Kumar, leading to her exit. Following Padukone's departure, Triptii Dimri, who previously collaborated with Vanga in "Animal," was cast as the female lead.

The debate over working hours in Bollywood is not new. Genelia Deshmukh recently shared that she works 10-hour shifts and considers 12-hour shifts fair, adding another perspective to the discussion. As for "The Raja Saab," the film, which also stars Sanjay Dutt, Boman Irani, Malavika Mohanan, and Nidhhi Agerwal, is slated for release on December 5, 2025. The teaser was recently leaked online, prompting the makers to warn against sharing the unauthorized content and threatening strict action against those who do so.