Amid a national debate over the 90-hour work week, an old statement by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan has resurfaced on social media, adding fuel to the discussion. In a 2022 interview with Aaj Tak, Khan warned that to achieve success you have to be “restless.”
He suggested that relaxation is only beneficial for those who do not aspire to be successful. Khan emphasized the importance of dedication and relentlessness, stating: “If you want to be successful, don’t eat, don’t sleep, don’t rest, don’t relax.”
He further explained that success requires sacrifice and that being at peace does not lead to achieving goals. Khan shared a personal example, mentioning his own limited sleep and rigorous work routine to stay in shape.
The debate intensified when SN Subrahmanyan, chairman of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), advocated a 90-hour work week. He questioned the need for days off and expressed a desire for employees to work on weekends.
Subrahmanyan’s views echoed recent comments by Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy, who also supported extending work hours and advocated a 70-hour workweek.
The great debate over the work week continues, with industry leaders divided over the benefits of long work hours versus a balanced approach to success.
Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group, stressed that the focus should be on the outcome of work rather than the number of hours, stating that significant achievements are possible even within a limited time frame.
He also said that a holistic life helps in making the right business decisions. Holistic living, according to Mahindra, involves spending time at home, spending time with friends, reading and self-reflection.
Harsh Goenka, president 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, CEO of Bajaj Auto, argued that the quality of work matters more than the number of hours spent working. Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, highlighted that hard work and ambition are personal decisions and not everyone aspires for high-level executive positions.
