In a thought-provoking panel discussion on ET Now Swadesh, Bollywood PR expert Dale Bhagwagar gave a smart spin to the issue of actors facing overtime hours in shooting, after joining a growing chorus of industry voices, including those of Deepika Padukone and Pankaj Tripathi. Instead of calling it an overtime issue, Dale Bhagwagar highlighted the urgent need for better time management to address the issue of fair work hours for actors and technicians in the entertainment industry in Mumbai.
The segment, titled ‘Reasonable Work Hours in the Entertainment Industry: A Consumer or Creator Concern’, brought together a diverse and insightful panel moderated by the versatile and multi-faceted anchor Kavita Thapliyal. The discussion featured Dale Bhagwagar, well-known actress Payal Rohatgi, renowned publicist Sonia Kulkarni of Hunk Golden, and esteemed psychologist Dr. Sabeen Ahsan; each contributing valuable perspectives on the implications of overworking within the creative industry.
Discussing the demands and dynamics of extended work hours, Bhagwagar stressed, “Overtime isn’t passion, it’s poor time management,” pointing out that when production units fail to respect time, creativity declines, health suffers, and the end product loses integrity.
Bhagwagar argued that the real issue lies not in the extra hours themselves, but in the chaotic planning and operational inefficiencies behind them. “The entertainment industry runs on passion. But that passion must be backed by structure,” he said, meaning that respecting time is respecting people.
Often hailed as the Father of Bollywood PR for having started the first entertainment PR agency in India in the 1990s and for bringing organisation and structure to an industry that previously relied solely on independent solo publicists, Bhagwagar brings decades of authority and experience to such conversations. Through his flagship firm, the entertainment PR agency Dale Bhagwagar Media Group, he has handled image building and crisis management for over 300 celebrities, while shaping the PR narrative in modern Bollywood.
Kulkarni praised the courage it takes for stars to break their silence, but pointed out that even Deepika Padukone appeared to have waited until she had reached a certain stature to speak up. Bhagwagar acknowledged this, emphasizing that systemic change should not depend on star power alone. “We also need a legal and ethical framework that safeguards everyone, regardless of where they stand on the ladder of fame,” he remarked.
Actress Payal Rohatgi suggested that working extra hours often boils down to personal ambition and choice. Bhagwagar agreed, with a vital distinction: “Yes, it can be about willingness to work more hours, though producers also have a duty, ethically and creatively, to manage time with care,” he stated during the panel discussion.
Dr. Sabeen supported the argument from a psychological standpoint, warning that extended work hours can have serious mental health implications, particularly in high-pressure creative environments.
Bhagwagar further explained how time mismanagement on sets drains actors, frustrates crew members, and ultimately harms the final output. Later, commenting on the topic on social media, he added, “Imagine the gains if call times were respected, scenes pre-planned, and breaks honoured. It’s not idealism, it’s operational hygiene.”
Through his next-gen PR agency Hybrid Media, Bhagwagar continues to shape the evolving digital landscape by seamlessly blending traditional publicity with innovative digital strategies to craft impactful, cross-platform brand narratives for both personalities and brands.
As a PR thought leader, Dale Bhagwagar noted, “We spend time discussing budgets, talent, and marketing strategies, but ignore time discipline at our peril.” His insights come not just from theory but from lived, hands-on industry experience. As the conversation around sustainable work practices in showbiz gains momentum, Bollywood’s only PR guru made his message clear. That the glamour of the industry must be matched with greater ground-level discipline.