‘System’ actress Sonakshi Sinha reveals her career burnout; CLAIMS she did ‘Double shifts’

After making her debut in Salman Khan‘s ‘Dabangg’ Sonakshi quickly became one of the busiest actors in the Hindi film industry. She featured in leading roles, special appearances, and dance numbers, maintaining a relentless work schedule for years. Sonakshi Sinha has opened up about the intense pace that defined the first decade of her career. The actress said she spent nearly all of her 20s moving from one project to another, leaving little room for rest or personal time.

Sonakshi Sinha felt like she was burning out

In an interview with Hindustan Times, Sonakshi spoke candidly about how the constant workload began to take a toll on her well-being. “I started working very young. I was 22 when I started and 23 when my first film released. My entire 20s went into work. I felt like I was burning out, doing more than I should be. I was constantly on the go. I would not take time off for myself or breaks in between two films. I would go from one set to another. I did double shifts at one point in time,” she said.

A decade packed with films for Sonakshi Sinha

Between her debut and the COVID-19 pandemic, Sonakshi appeared in 23 films over ten years. During the same period, she also participated in multiple special appearances and popular song sequences. This steady stream of work made her one of the most recognizable faces in Bollywood. However, she eventually realized that professional success alone was not enough to sustain a fulfilling life.

Choosing herself in her 30s

Sonakshi said a turning point came when she entered her 30s. Around 2017 and 2018, she decided to slow down and create time for herself. “There came a point when I said, ‘I need to make time for myself. That will help me improve as an actor as well as a person’. That’s when I started making certain changes in my life. My whole direction changed in the way I approached work, or the kind of work that I do,” Sonakshi recalled.Reflecting on what she learned, Sonakshi said the realization came gradually. “You learn. It doesn’t come to you automatically. At that point in time, I felt this was the way to go. Also, I lived a very protected life. For me, that was me seeing my work. I enjoyed it while I did it. But you reach a point where you realise there is more to life than just work.”On the professional front, Sonakshi will next appear in ‘System’, a courtroom drama directed by Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari.