Deepika Padukone says L&T 'made it worse' with their clarification on 90 hour work week

deepika

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has voiced her disapproval of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman S.N. Subrahmanyan’s controversial remarks about implementing a 90-hour work week and making employees work on Sundays.

She expressed shock at his comments and later criticized L&T’s clarification of the statement, calling it an even bigger misstep.

The Controversial Statement by L&T Chairman

During a conversation with employees, S.N. Subrahmanyan made a statement advocating for an extreme work culture. He said, “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 further added, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.”

These remarks sparked widespread outrage, with many people criticizing his perspective on work-life balance, especially in an era where mental health awareness and employee well-being are gaining more importance.

Deepika Padukone’s Response

Deepika Padukone, who is also a strong advocate for mental health, reacted sharply to Subrahmanyan’s comments. Taking to Instagram, she wrote, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #mentalhealthmatters (sic).”

Her reaction resonated with many professionals and working individuals who condemned the idea of glorifying excessive work hours at the cost of personal and mental well-being.

L&T’s Attempted Justification

Following the backlash, L&T released an official statement defending their chairman’s remarks, stating:

“Nation-building is at the core of our mandate. For over eight decades, we have been shaping India’s infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities. We believe this is India’s decade, a time demanding collective dedication and effort to drive progress and realize our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition.”

The statement attempted to justify Subrahmanyan’s comments by linking them to the broader goal of nation-building. However, rather than calming the criticism, it only fueled the debate further.

Deepika’s Response to L&T’s Justification

Deepika was quick to respond to L&T’s statement, sharing a screenshot on social media with the caption, “And they just made it worse…”

Her reaction indicated that she found L&T’s justification weak and disconnected from the growing concerns over toxic work cultures in corporate India.

Broader Debate on Work-Life Balance

This controversy has reignited discussions about work-life balance in corporate India, especially in the wake of a similar statement by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who earlier suggested a 70-hour workweek for young professionals.

Many experts argue that while hard work and dedication are essential, overworking employees does not necessarily translate to productivity. Instead, it can lead to burnout, decreased efficiency, and serious mental health issues.

With more organizations emphasizing flexible work arrangements and employee well-being, the idea of enforcing longer workweeks appears outdated to many professionals. Critics argue that modern work culture should prioritize efficiency over excessive hours.

Public Backlash and Industry Reactions

Subrahmanyan’s remarks and L&T’s subsequent statement have drawn widespread backlash on social media. Many professionals, employees, and mental health advocates have criticized the glorification of excessive work culture.