| 3 night workers throw light on the pros and cons Case study 1
Shilpa Saklani TV actor who shot extensively at night, for daily soap Kkusum Raat baaki: Shilpa says she'd rather avoid shooting at night. "It's not the best time to look great for the camera," she laughs. The petite actor overlooked this professional liability until she was single. But once she tied the knot with actor Apoorva Agnihotri, her priorities changed. "Coming home to my in-laws and fulfilling certain responsibilities, made me request the producers to avoid shooting for too many nights at a stretch." Flipside: Nights shifts took a toll on her system. "Even if I reach home around 7 am after a 12-hour shift, I end up sleeping by 9 am." But with all the noise and sunlight creeping in, it hardly compares to a good night's rest. Upside: "The only advantage is a great on-screen visual." Shilpa's tip: "Your personality and profession should match your working hours. I think, the night brings out the best in creative
people like artists and writers." Case study 2
Anil and Vidya Menon
Husband-wife duo who work in the BPO industry Raat baaki: For over two years, Vidya met hubby Anil just for just an hour a day — thanks to her day job, and his night shift. "That's when I decided it was high time I switched jobs, and shifts," says Vidya. Their coinciding work hours now make catching up a breeze for the Nerul residents.
Flipside: "Oh, the usual..." rattles off Anil, a self-confessed "veteran" with over five years of experience in the industry. "Sleepless nights for the first few months, a tendency to binge on junk food and over dosing on coffee," are the culprits you can overpower over a period of time. Upside: An enviable pay package and the ability to avoid Mumbai's blazing heat, that refuses to take a break even during winter months. Vidya's tip: "It's natural to indulge in rash driving at night; be extra careful to slow down if you drive to and from work." Case study 3
Sachin Kotre Freelance assistant director, who juggles day and night shifts for shoots Raat baaki: Sachin doesn't buy the night person VS morning person theory. "I don't think
creativity peaks at a particular hour, though I tend to feel fresh between 7 am and 11 am." When there's work to be done and deadlines waiting to be met, your body has to adjust. Flipside: "Everyone keeps calling, yaar, just when you've sat down to work," grumbles Sachin. Missing out on a few get-togethers is also inevitable. Upside: "Actually that's good in a way, because you need a break from everyone, once in a while" the 23-year-old says, mock-seriously. Other pros include a "stark, cool" work-conducive atmosphere. Sachin's tip: The night shift isn't usually considered safe, especially for women. "But incidents occur even in broad daylight," he insists. Cooperating with the police helps. "A couple of cops once stopped my bike at Dadar station, at about 4 am, and insisted on checking my bag. They were shocked to find a fake gun I had used for a shoot!" | 
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