Amid the national debate over the 90-hour workweek, an old statement from Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has resurfaced on social media, fueling the debate. In a 2022 interview with Aaj Tak, Khan advised that to be successful, one must be “restless.”
He suggested that relaxation is only beneficial for those who do not aspire to achieve success. Khan emphasized the importance of dedication and hard work, saying, “If you want to succeed, don’t eat, don’t sleep, don’t rest, don’t relax!
He further explained that success requires sacrifice and being at peace does not help one achieve one’s goals. Khan shared a personal example, mentioning his own limited sleep and rigorous work out routine to maintain his fitness.
The debate intensified when SN Subrahmanyan, chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), argued for a 90-hour work week. He questions the need for rest days and expresses the wish that employees work on weekends.
Subrahmanyan’s views echo recent comments by Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy, who was also in favor of longer working hours and advocated for a 70-hour work week.
The debate over the Great Workweek continues, with industry leaders divided on the merits of long hours versus a balanced approach to success.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, stressed that the focus should be on the outcome of work rather than the number of hours, saying significant achievements are possible even in a limited period of time.
He also said that a holistic life helps in making the right business decisions. According to Mahindra, a holistic life involves spending time at home, spending time with friends, reading and self-reflection.
Harsh Goenka, chairman of RPG Enterprises, criticized Subrahmanyan’s suggestion, calling it a “recipe for burnout” and not success. Goenka said work-life balance is essential and not optional.
Rajiv Bajaj, Managing Director of Bajaj Auto, argued that the quality of work matters more than the number of hours spent working. Radhika Gupta, CEO, Edelweiss Mutual Fund, emphasized that hard work and ambition are personal choices and not everyone aspires to leadership positions.
