Deepika Padukone Slams L&T Chairman Over Daily Work Comments: ‘Shocking to See Such…’

Deepika Padukone Slams L&T Chairman Over Daily Work Comments: Bollywood celebrity and activist for mental health Deepika Padukone publicly denounced SN Subrahmanyan, the Chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), after his recent comments on work-life balance drew much ire. His proclamation that a 90-hour workweek includes Sundays has sparked an outcry on work culture, mental health, and personal time.

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The 90-Hour Workweek Statement

Within an internal employee meeting, Subrahmanyan proposed such long hours, including weekends, in order to compete in today fast-paced business environment. The remarks made by him were during a video recorded buzzing on Reddit- left many employees and social media users discontented.

"I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays," Subrahmanyan said. "If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy because I work on Sundays." He further questioned employees’ downtime at home, saying, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you look at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.”

Although, according to Subrahmanyan, these statements were pointed towards an example intended to provide commitment to work, the self-explanatory preface, his casual, nonchalant remarks on personal time have raised eyebrows, especially in this era of putting so much more emphasis on work-life balance within modern workplaces.

Deepika Padukone's Reaction

As an advocate for mental health awareness, Deepika Padukone was quick to fire back at the chairman's words. The actress, known for her candor about personal mental health struggles, posted her remarks on social media.Sharing a post from journalist Faye D'Souza, she wrote, "Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters."

Deepika's comments elaborated the consideration such views could have on the well-being of their minds in reading contexts from which employees feel pressured to place work ahead of their well-being and personal lives.

Well-known as a strong activist for awareness related to mental health issues, Deepika Padukone also founded the Live Love Laugh Foundation in 2015. Since making the reality of her battle with depression available to the public, Deepika has taken small steps to eliminate the stereotypes around mental health and has worked toward rendering support to those in need.

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Such as through her foundation is the "You Are Not Alone" program, which is intended for raising awareness among schools. Deepika's own experience and her work through the foundation are beginning to address the issue of mental health in India in important conversations.

Debate on Work-Life Balance

Subrahmanyan has reignited the work-life balance debate in India, in true company with remarks by peers from the very same industry. Last year, its co-founders, Narayana Murthy of Infosys, stirred much controversy when he suggested that budding professionals, who had just begun their career journeys, should put in 70 hours in the week to develop the nation.

These are the words of two business leaders speaking for an age-old battle between conservative business practices in India against the emerging realization that employees need better work-life balance in an age that increasingly requires consideration of mental health.

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