Deepika Padukone Critiques L&T Chairman's Suggestion For 90-Hour Work Week Amid Mental Health Concerns

Deepika Padukone, a prominent Bollywood actress, has entered the conversation surrounding remarks made by L&T chairman S N Subrahmanyan. His comments about wanting employees to work on Sundays have sparked controversy. In a video circulating online, Subrahmanyan is heard saying, "How long can you stare at your wife?" and expressing regret for not being able to make employees work on Sundays.

Padukone shared her thoughts on Instagram Stories, calling it "shocking" for someone in such a senior position to make these statements. She added the hashtag #mentalhealthmatter. The comments have faced backlash on social media, with many questioning why CEOs expect the same dedication from less-paid employees. L&T later clarified that the remarks were about achieving extraordinary outcomes for the nation.

The debate over work-life balance has been reignited by Subrahmanyan's comments, echoing earlier suggestions by Infosys Co-Founder Narayana Murthy. Last year, Murthy suggested a 70-hour work week to improve India's productivity, which he claimed was among the lowest globally. He urged young people to commit more hours for national progress.

L&T issued a statement explaining that Subrahmanyan's words reflect a broader ambition for India's development. "We believe this is India's decade," said an L&T spokesperson, emphasizing collective dedication and effort to achieve national goals. Padukone responded by posting this statement on Instagram and commented, "And they just made it worse..."

Padukone has been vocal about mental health issues and founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation to support mental well-being. Her involvement in this discourse highlights ongoing concerns about employee welfare and mental health in corporate environments.