Amid a national debate on 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 advised that to achieve success you need to be “restless”.

He suggested that relaxation is only beneficial to those who do not aspire to be successful. Khan emphasized the importance of dedication and relentlessness, stating, “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 that being at peace is not conducive to achieving goals. Khan shared a personal example, citing his own limited sleep and rigorous work routine to maintain his fitness.

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 weekends.

Subrahmanyan’s views echoed recent comments by Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy, who also supported expanding working hours and advocated a 70-hour work week.

The great workweek debate continues, with industry leaders divided over the merits of long working hours versus a balanced approach to success.

Anand Mahindra, chairman of the Mahindra Group, emphasized that the focus should be on the output of the work rather than the number of hours, stating that significant achievements are possible even in a limited period of time.

He also said that holistic living helps in making the right business decisions. Holistic living, according to Mahindra, involves spending time at home, spending time with friends, reading and reflecting.

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 the top management positions.