Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has reacted sharply to recent statements made by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, advocating for mental health and work-life balance. Taking to her Instagram Stories, the "Piku" actress shared journalist Faye D’Souza’s post reporting Subrahmanyan’s controversial remarks and wrote, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters”
During an internal interaction with employees, Subrahmanyan made several contentious comments. He questioned the value of staying at home, saying, "What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Go to the office and start working." He further expressed regret over not being able to make employees work on Sundays, stating, "Honestly, I am sorry that I am not able to make you work on Sundays. I will be happier if I can make you work on Sundays, because I work on Sundays too"
To justify his stance, Subrahmanyan shared an anecdote about a conversation he had with a Chinese man. According to Subrahmanyan, the man claimed that China could overtake the US due to its strong work ethic, stating, "Chinese people work 90 hours a week, while Americans work only 50 hours a week"
Deepika Padukone, known for her advocacy for mental health, was quick to criticize these remarks. Her response has sparked a broader conversation about work-life balance and the importance of mental health in the corporate world. The backlash against Subrahmanyan's comments highlights the growing awareness and importance of employee well-being in today's work culture.