‘Shocking to see people…’ Deepika Padukone Slams L&T Chairman’s Controversial Remarks on 90-Hour Workweek

Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone added her voice to the ongoing backlash against Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, whose comments advocating an intense 90-hour workweek have sparked widespread debate. 

In an Instagram story, Padukone wrote, "Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters."
Padukone’s remark has drawn attention to the importance of mental health and work-life balance.

Viral Video Sparks Outrage
The controversy began after an old video of Subrahmanyan resurfaced on Reddit, in which he emphasized the need for employees to work on Sundays. “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays, to be honest. If I can make you work on Sundays, I will be more happy, because I work on Sundays also," he said in the video.

The chairman further questioned the value of personal time, saying, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can the wives stare at their husbands? Get to the office and start working."
These remarks, now widely circulated, have been criticized for trivialising family time and promoting a workaholic culture.

 

L&T Issues a Clarification
In response to the backlash, L&T issued a statement defending Subrahmanyan’s comments as being in the context of driving extraordinary outcomes for the nation.
“At L&T, nation-building is at the core of our mandate. For over eight decades, we have been shaping India's infrastructure, industries, and technological capabilities," the company said. “The Chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasizing that extraordinary outcomes require extraordinary effort. We remain committed to fostering a culture where passion, purpose, and performance drive us forward.”