Deepika Padukone recently addressed the controversy surrounding businessman and L&T chairman SN Subrahmanyan’s comments about a 90-hour work week and working on Sundays. His remarks, made during a discussion on the company’s six-day workweek policy, have reignited debates about the significance of work-life balance in modern workplaces.
The Bollywood actress expressed her shock on Instagram after reading the controversial comments and shared a journalist's post, emphasizing the importance of mental health.
Check out her post here:Poll
What’s your opinion on the debate over long work hours and mental health?
She wrote, 'Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters'.
SN Subrahmanyan’s comments advocating a 90-hour workweek, alongside his suggestion that employees spend more time at work instead of at home, have sparked further debate. He expressed regret over not being able to make Sundays a workday and emphasized his own commitment to working on Sundays, urging employees to prioritize work over personal time. These remarks, now circulating on Reddit, have raised concerns about the importance of work-life balance.
Subrahmanyan backed his argument by referencing a conversation with a Chinese individual, who credited China’s potential to surpass the U.S. to workers’ 90-hour workweeks, compared to Americans’ 50-hour weeks. He emphasized that to achieve global success, one must commit to such long hours, implying that a 90-hour workweek is crucial for reaching the top.
This follows a similar controversy involving
Infosys co-founder
NR Narayana Murthy, who recently suggested that young professionals should work 70-hour weeks to contribute to nation-building. His comment was widely criticized online, adding to the ongoing debate about the value of work-life balance versus long working hours for professional success.
Meanwhile, Deepika has been open about her struggle with depression since 2015, revealing feelings of emptiness and suicidal thoughts. With the support of her family and professional help, she overcame this challenging phase. She later founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and offer resources for those in need. She continues to advocate for mental health and strives to create a supportive environment for individuals struggling with similar issues.