Deepika Padukone, known for her strong advocacy of mental health awareness, voiced her disapproval of a recent comment made by L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan regarding employees working on Sundays. Taking to her Instagram stories, the Piku actress shared a screenshot of a report by journalist Faye D’Souza, expressing her astonishment. “Shocking to see people in such senior positions make such statements,” she wrote, adding the hashtag #MentalHealthMatters.

Subrahmanyan’s remarks triggered widespread debate online, highlighting concerns about work-life balance and mental well-being. Responding to the backlash, L&T issued a clarifying statement. Sharing a screenshot of this explanation, Deepika further commented, “And they just made it worse…”

The company’s statement read:
“At L&T, nation-building is central to our mission. For over eight decades, we have shaped India’s infrastructure, industries, and technological landscape. We believe this is India’s decade, requiring collective dedication and extraordinary effort to realize our vision of a developed nation. The Chairman’s remarks reflect this larger ambition, emphasizing that remarkable achievements demand extraordinary commitment. At L&T, we remain focused on fostering a culture driven by passion, purpose, and performance.”

The controversy began when a video clip of Subrahmanyan went viral on Reddit. In it, he remarked, “I regret I can’t make you work on Sundays. If I could, I’d be happier because I work on Sundays. What do you do sitting at home? How long can you stare at your wife? How long can wives stare at their husbands? Come on, get to the office and start working.”

Deepika, who publicly shared her battle with depression in 2015, founded the Live Love Laugh foundation to support those struggling with mental health challenges.

On a personal note, Deepika and her husband Ranveer Singh welcomed their first child in September 2024. She last appeared in Rohit Shetty’s Singham Again.