Deepika Padukone, known for her advocacy of mental health, has weighed in on the ongoing debate sparked by remarks made by Larsen & Toubro chairman SN Subrahmanyan. His controversial comments about workplace culture included advocating for a 90-hour work week and asking employees to work on Sundays. The statements, made during an interaction about L&T’s six-day workweek policy, have reignited discussions about the importance of work-life balance.
Deepika shared journalist Faye D’Souza’s post about the same and wrote on her Instagram Stories, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters."
The statement
Subrahmanyan sparked more debate by suggesting a 90-hour workweek and questioning how much time employees spend at home. “How long can you stare at your wife?" he remarked, encouraging employees to prioritise work. He also explained the need for working on Saturdays and expressed regret that Sundays couldn’t be included as workdays too. “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy because I work on Sundays," he said in a video now circulating on Reddit.
Subrahmanyan referred to a discussion with a Chinese individual to support his perspective. He claimed that the person credited China’s potential to overtake the United States to its workers committing to 90-hour workweeks, compared to the 50 hours commonly worked by Americans. “If you want to be on top of the world, you have to work 90 hours a week," Subrahmanyan said.
This follows a similar backlash faced by Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy, who recently suggested that young professionals should work 70 hours a week to contribute to nation-building, a remark widely criticised online.
Deepika Padukone’s battle with mental health
Deepika Padukone had openly shared her battle with depression in 2015, discussing feelings of emptiness and suicidal thoughts. With her family’s support and professional help, she overcame this challenging period. She later founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation to raise awareness about mental health, reduce stigma, and provide resources for those in need. Deepika continues to advocate for mental health and works to create a supportive environment for those struggling.
