Venky Atluri urges actors to adapt to Telugu film work culture

Filmmaker Venky Atluri said that actors moving into a new film industry should first understand its work culture and adjust their expectations. Speaking during promotion of his upcoming movie "Viswanath and Sons," Atluri noted that Telugu cinema typically follows a disciplined schedule, with call times around 7 am or 8 am and shooting continuing until about 6 pm. He explained that actors may spend roughly 10 hours on set while the overall crew day can extend to 11‑12 hours, adding that schedules can be discussed and modified depending on the project. Atluri referenced the popular saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do,” to illustrate his point.

He also mentioned the recent controversy involving Deepika Padukone, who reportedly stepped away from two South Indian films over concerns about long working hours and an “8‑hour rule.” Atluri’s comments aim to refocus the debate on mutual understanding of industry practices as he promotes "Viswanath and Sons," starring Suriya, Raveena Tandon and Mamitha Baiju, slated for release on August 14.