The conversation around India's work culture, particularly the concept of a 70-hour workweek, was reignited by an exchange between two prominent figures from Shark Tank India—Namita Thapar and Anupam Mittal. During an interview with Humans of Bombay, their opposing views sparked widespread attention, further fuelling the ongoing debate about work-life balance and productivity in the country.
Anupam Mittal, founder and CEO of Shaadi.com, criticised the focus on excessive working hours, calling it "a big lie being told to this generation." He argued that success depends on strategy, effort, and dedication, rather than simply clocking long hours.
“You are not going to achieve anything extraordinary in life by counting the hours you are putting in,” he said. Reflecting on his own experience of working 16-hour shifts during his early career in the U.S., Mittal highlighted the importance of a balanced approach to work.
Mittal also praised the hybrid work model implemented in his company, which, according to him, resulted in a 30% increase in productivity. He advocated for “work-life harmony” rather than the traditional notion of work-life balance, stating, “Work-life balance is destroying a whole generation.” For Mittal, young professionals should challenge themselves early in their careers to build resilience and achieve remarkable results.
Namita Thapar, executive director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals, strongly disagreed with Mittal’s position, dismissing it as “a crock of bullsh*t.” Thapar argued that the realities for founders and employees differ significantly, making it unreasonable to impose the same expectations.
She explained that while founders and high-stakeholders might willingly work long hours due to their significant financial investments, regular employees should not be held to the same standards. “Founders like me, who make tons of money, can work 24 hours a day if we choose to. But for the common man and woman, there has to be a reasonable limit,” she said.
Thapar cited her experience during Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ public offering, which was valued at $3 billion, with her family owning 80% of the company. “Obviously, we could work 20 hours a day, and that’s what we did. But employees, like my accountant, do not share the same financial upside,” she pointed out.
Thapar also emphasised the toll that excessive work hours can take on employees’ physical and mental well-being. “If someone is working such long hours, they are going to have serious health issues,” she warned, highlighting the need for a more balanced work schedule for the average worker.
The debate traces its roots to recent comments by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who called for India’s youth to adopt a 70-hour workweek. Murthy argued that such a commitment was essential to boost national productivity and compete globally, drawing parallels to the work ethics of Japan and Germany during their post-World War II rebuilding phases.
Murthy’s remarks, including a suggestion to return to a six-day workweek, sparked nationwide discussions about the ethical and practical implications of such expectations. While some viewed his comments as a call to action, others criticised them as outdated and detrimental to employee welfare.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
