Amid controversy over 90-hour workweek, Shah Rukh Khan’s old statement about hard work spreads like wildfire: ‘Aaraam haram hai’

In the midst of a national debate over the 90-hour work week, an old statement by Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has resurfaced on social media, fueling debate. In a 2022 interview with Aaj Tak, Khan advised that to achieve success, one must be “disruptive”.

He pointed out that relaxation is only beneficial for those who do not aspire to success. Khan stressed the importance of dedication and persistence, saying: “If you want to be successful, don’t eat, don’t sleep, don’t rest, don’t relax!”

He also explained that success requires sacrifice and that living in peace does not lead to achieving goals. Khan shared a personal example, mentioning his limited sleep and strict work routine to maintain his fitness.

The discussion intensified when SN Subramanian, Chairman, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), called for a 90-hour work week. He questioned the necessity of vacation days and expressed the desire of employees to work on weekends.

Subramanian’s views echoed recent comments made by Narayan Murthy, co-founder of Infosys, who also supported extending working hours and called for a 70-hour work week.

The great debate over the workweek 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, stressed that the focus should be on work outputs rather than the number of working hours, noting that great achievements are possible even within a limited time frame.

He also said that holistic living helps one make the right business decisions. Holistic living, according to Mahindra, entails spending time at home, spending time with friends, reading and self-reflection.

Harsh Goenka, Chairman, RPG Enterprises, criticized Subramanian’s proposal, calling it a “recipe for burnout” and not success. Work-life balance is essential, not optional, Goenka said.

Rajeev Bajaj, Managing Director, Bajaj Auto, said that the quality of work is more important than the number of hours spent on work. Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Mutual Fund, emphasized that hard work and ambition are personal choices, and not everyone aspires to hold senior executive positions.