“Wo jo 3 baje raat ko baithte hai na wo ye nahi batate ki wo…”- Swiggy CEO calls out hustle culture, urges to stop late-night grind

Rohit Kapoor, the CEO of Swiggy Food and Marketplace, has taken a firm stand against the widely celebrated "hustle culture," expressing concerns over its detrimental effects on employees' health and personal well-being. During an event held in Bengaluru, Kapoor openly criticised this culture of overwork, advocating for a healthier and more balanced approach to work-life integration.His remarks have sparked a conversation about the growing importance of work-life balance in modern workplaces.

Hustle culture glorifies working long hours, often at the expense of personal life, health, and well-being. This trend has been celebrated in many industries, where employees are often encouraged to push themselves to extreme limits. However, Kapoor highlighted a critical issue: the disconnect between public perception and reality. He explained that while some individuals boast about working late into the night, they fail to mention that they start their workday much later.
He shared a pointed observation: “Wo jo 3 baje raat ko baithte hai na wo ye nahi batate ki wo 1 baje dopahar ko office ate hai” (Those who say they work till 3 a.m. never mention that they reach the office at 1 p.m. the next day). This statement underscores the imbalance and selective narrative often seen in hustle culture, where long hours are romanticised without considering the actual productivity or impact on an individual's life.


Kapoor's message was clear: while hard work is necessary for success, it should not come at the cost of one’s personal life. He emphasised the importance of spending time with family, friends, and loved ones, encouraging employees to prioritise their relationships outside of work. Kapoor strongly opposed the notion of glorifying excessive work hours, arguing that a more sustainable approach to work should be the norm.
"Yes, there are times when you may need to put in extra hours," Kapoor explained, "but it should not become a habit or a badge of honour." His comments resonated with many who feel the pressure to conform to an unsustainable work routine in today’s fast-paced corporate environment.

Kapoor’s remarks quickly garnered attention on social media, with many users echoing his concerns about hustle culture. One Instagram user humorously referenced a comment made by N.R. Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys, who advised youngsters to work 70 hours a week, saying, “Narayan Murthy getting panic attacks watching this.” Another user added, “More people need to talk about this,” signalling that Kapoor’s views were striking a chord with a wider audience.
Many users praised Kapoor for his candid approach to the topic. "Finally, someone talked like normal to all of us," one user commented, acknowledging that Kapoor's remarks provided a much-needed reality check for the corporate world.

Rohit Kapoor's position on hustle culture is particularly significant given his extensive leadership experience. Before joining Swiggy as the CEO of Food and Marketplace in 2022, Kapoor held prominent roles at companies like McKinsey & Company, Max India Limited, and OYO. His background in management and strategy gives his opinions weight, as they come from someone who has spent years navigating the demands of corporate life.
Kapoor's views reflect a broader shift in the corporate world, where many companies and leaders are beginning to recognize the importance of work-life balance. Rather than glorifying long hours and burnout, organisations are increasingly looking for ways to promote employee well-being, productivity, and sustainable success.

Kapoor's critique of hustle culture taps into a larger debate about the pressures of modern work life. While some continue to glorify the idea of working long hours to achieve success, others, like Kapoor, advocate for a more balanced approach. His comments have reignited discussions around the consequences of overwork, with many agreeing that it’s time to rethink what it means to be productive and successful.
The discussion isn’t new, but Kapoor’s stance gives it fresh momentum. As the conversation grows, it’s clear that many employees are eager for a change in corporate culture, one that values personal well-being just as much as professional achievement.
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