Kajal Aggarwal: Bollywood should learn punctuality from South film industry

Kajal Aggarwal, a familiar face across Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi cinema, has weighed in on the ongoing debate about work culture in India's film industries. In a recent interview, she said Bollywood has a lot to learn from the South when it comes to punctuality and professionalism.

The actor, who made her debut in the Telugu film industry and later crossed over to Bollywood, said she prefers working in South Indian films because of the discipline on set. She did not mince words about the time management issues she has observed in Hindi cinema.

'South industry runs on time'

Aggarwal stated that in the South, shoots rarely start late. Call times are respected, and schedules are followed with precision. She contrasted this with her experience in Bollywood, where delays are often treated as normal.

“Bollywood should learn punctuality from the South,” she said. The actor added that the efficiency of South Indian sets made her work life easier and more predictable. She noted that this culture of punctuality is one of the main reasons she continues to take on more projects in Tamil and Telugu cinema.

A pattern of professional respect

Aggarwal pointed out that directors and producers in the South treat actors' time with respect. Meetings start on time, and there is a visible effort to wrap up schedules as planned. This, she argued, creates a healthier working environment for everyone involved.

She did not attack Bollywood outright, but her remarks add to a growing chorus of actors and technicians who have pointed out differences in work ethics between the industries. Many believe the South's focus on pre-production and planning is a key reason for its recent box-office dominance.

Cross-industry comparisons on the rise

The actor's comments come at a time when comparisons between Bollywood and regional industries are frequent. Several filmmakers from the South have entered Hindi markets with big-budget films, often outperforming local productions in terms of discipline and release schedules.

Aggarwal herself has worked with leading directors across languages. She began her career in Telugu cinema with films like Lakshmi Kalyanam and later appeared in Hindi hits like Special 26 and Singham Returns. Her experience gives weight to her observations.

She also noted that the South Indian film industry has a system of respecting the entire crew, from the lightmen to the lead actors. This, she said, fosters a sense of collective responsibility that Bollywood often lacks.

What Bollywood can change

Aggarwal did not offer a detailed roadmap, but she urged Bollywood producers to start respecting call sheets. She said small changes in attitude could lead to big improvements in output and morale. She also suggested that Hindi cinema could benefit from adopting the South's habit of wrapping up night shoots before dawn.

The actor's remarks have sparked discussion online, with many fans and industry insiders agreeing with her assessment. Some have pointed out that Bollywood's star-driven culture often leads to lax scheduling, while the South's project-first approach keeps things on track.

Aggarwal continues to balance her work across industries. She has several projects lined up in Telugu and Tamil, and remains open to Hindi roles — provided the sets run on time.