Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone has called out Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan for his remarks advocating for employees to work even on Sundays. He has found himself at the center of a controversy as his comments on workplace culture have sparked debate and criticism, with many calling out the unrealistic expectations and disregard for employee well-being.
Amid the backlash, Deepika, who is also a mental health advocate, has also weighed in. Taking to her Instagram stories, the actress and new mommy expressed her disappointment over the statement. She wrote, “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements. #MentalHealthMatters.”
Subrahmanyan’s comments have reignited debates about work-life balance and the mental health of employees in high-pressure environments. Critics argue that such demands not only blur the boundaries between personal and professional life but also exacerbate burnout and stress among workers.
For those unversed, a leaked footage from Subrahmanyan’s internal company meeting has surfaced on Reddit. In the clip, he is heard talking about employees and their work habits.
While answering a question on why L&T makes its employees work on Saturday, a weekly off in many companies, an almost dismayed Subrahmanyan said that he regrets that he cannot make his employees work on Sundays.
Take a look at his video here:
Deepika has long been an advocate for mental health awareness, using social media to address the stigma surrounding mental illness. Her journey began when she openly shared her personal battle with depression, a revelation that inspired countless others to acknowledge and seek help for their struggles.
In 2015, she founded The Live Love Laugh Foundation, an initiative dedicated to promoting mental health and providing support to those in need.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika recently shared screen space with her actor-husband Ranveer Singh in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again. The film also starred Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Arjun Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, and Tiger Shroff, among others.
