What Deepika Padukone Said About Calls For Seven-Day Work Week

Deepika Padukone recently voiced her disapproval of statements made by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyam, urging employees to work even on Sundays. Subrahmanyam's comments, captured in a resurfaced video from a Q&A session, have sparked widespread debate about work-life balance in corporate India.

Deepika Padukone Criticizes L&T Chairman’s Call For Seven-Day Work Week

During the session, Subrahmanyam expressed frustration over the lack of a seven-day workweek at his company. He stated, “I regret I am not able to make you work on Sundays… because I work on Sundays.” Further compounding the controversy, he questioned the productivity of employees during their time off, saying, “What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? Come on, get to the office and start working.”

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Deepika Padukone, known for her strong stance on mental health, was among the first celebrities to react to Subrahmanyam’s statements. Sharing her views on social media, she wrote, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters.” 

In light of the backlash, L&T issued a statement clarifying the chairman’s remarks. The company emphasised its role in "nation-building" and the commitment required to drive India's progress. The statement read, “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 realise our shared vision of becoming a developed nation. The chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition.”

Deepika responded to L&T’s clarification by sharing a screenshot of their statement on her social media, captioning it, "And they just made it worse..." 

Subrahmanyam’s comments have reignited the discussion around work culture in India, especially concerning the expectations placed on employees in high-pressure industries. This comes after another controversial statement by Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, who suggested that employees should adopt a 70-hour work week to boost productivity. Murthy’s remarks also received significant backlash, with many arguing that such expectations are unsustainable and detrimental to mental health.

Deepika Padukone’s Advocacy for Mental Health

Deepika has been an advocate for mental health since 2015, following her personal battle with clinical depression. She founded the Live, Love, Laugh Foundation, which aims to promote mental health awareness and provide support to those struggling with mental health issues. 

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