“More Shaant, Less Chaos”: Kalki Koechlin Opens Up on Global Sets vs Indian Film Culture

| Updated: Wednesday, December 31, 2025, 13:01 [IST]

Kalki Koechlin has never been one to shy away from honest conversations, and once again, she’s striking a chord–this time about work culture in cinema. Reflecting on her experiences across Indian and international projects, the actor draws a clear contrast between the calm efficiency of global productions and the often chaotic reality of Indian film sets. As debates around working hours and healthier environments gain momentum, Kalki’s perspective feels timely, thoughtful, and deeply personal.

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A Reflective Year Filled With Balance

Ask Kalki Koechlin how 2025 has treated her, and she responds with characteristic wit–better than last year, but hopefully not as good as what lies ahead. While she admits she wished for a little more acting work, her year has been far from idle. Between adopting two puppies, spending quality time gardening with her daughter, travelling across continents, and prioritising mental well-being, Kalki describes this phase as quietly fulfilling rather than overwhelmingly busy.

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Finding Familiarity in ‘Her Song’

One of Kalki’s most personal projects this year has been Her Song, directed by John M Keller. The script, she reveals, instantly struck a chord with its quirky humour and verbose storytelling. Playing a Franco-American writer also brought her closer to her own roots. Though she grew up in India, the character’s emotional journey–returning to ancestral spaces and rediscovering family history–felt deeply relatable and almost autobiographical.

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Why Global Sets Feel ‘Shaant’

Working on an international production made Kalki acutely aware of how different global sets can be. What stood out the most was the calm. Smaller, tightly managed crews allowed for focus, clarity, and space to think. In contrast, Indian film sets often operate with over a hundred people present at all times, creating an environment that can feel loud, crowded, and mentally draining for artists trying to stay in character.

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The Reality of Endless Work Hours

Kalki doesn’t mince words when addressing work hours in Indian cinema. Twelve-hour shifts, she notes, rarely begin or end on time–and often stretch far beyond what’s scheduled. She points out that while actors feel the strain, the burden is even heavier on technicians and crew members who clock longer days with fewer breaks. The unpredictability, she believes, takes a toll on creativity and overall morale.

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Lessons From International Productions

Recalling her experience shooting Goldfish in London, Kalki highlights how strictly regulated work environments can change everything. Fixed schedules, proper lunch breaks, and guaranteed weekly offs created a healthier rhythm. According to her, these systems don’t kill creativity–they protect it. A well-rested, respected team, she believes, naturally produces better work.

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Balancing Emotion and Discipline

While Kalki praises global sets for their structure, she also feels Indian cinema brings something uniquely powerful to the table–emotional depth. She believes the ideal working environment lies somewhere in between: combining the discipline and calm of international productions with the emotional intensity Indian filmmakers excel at, without tipping into excess or exhaustion.

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Looking Ahead: Family, Festivals, and a Wish for Comedy

At this stage of her life, family remains Kalki’s anchor. With fewer theatre visits and more animated films at home, she admits to missing light-hearted cinema. As Her Song prepares for its festival journey and she continues shooting an undisclosed project in Mumbai and Kolkata, her wish is simple–a good comedy. Something joyful, warm, and human. Perhaps, much like the work culture she hopes to see evolve.

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