In an era where “hustle culture” is glorified, Rohit Kapoor, CEO of Swiggy Food and Marketplace, has delivered a poignant message to tech professionals, encouraging them to find a healthier work-life balance. Speaking at the TechSparks 2024 event in Bengaluru, Kapoor stressed the importance of self-care and maintaining personal relationships, urging the audience to avoid the pitfalls of excessive work.

Kapoor’s message was met with widespread approval from attendees, many of whom have felt the burden of hustle culture—a trend that often pushes young professionals to extend work hours and compromise their personal lives in pursuit of career goals. His comments resonated deeply, particularly in light of ongoing debates around the long-term effects of such a mindset on mental and physical health.

Acknowledging the immense pressure and long hours faced by many in the tech industry, Kapoor empathized with the challenges but emphasized that success does not require sacrificing well-being. “You don’t need to hustle and work until 3 AM every day,” Kapoor remarked. While he acknowledged the value of hard work, he was clear in his stance that overworking can lead to burnout, stating, “Nothing in my life has come easy, but it hasn’t come at the cost of losing my mind. You don’t need to go to extremes.”

“Burning the midnight oil isn’t necessary,” Kapoor said, urging employees to spend more time with their families instead of stretching work hours. He highlighted that while industries often promote long hours, maintaining boundaries is key to sustaining both professional success and personal happiness.

Social media was abuzz with support for Kapoor’s views, with many expressing relief that a prominent figure finally spoke out against the relentless grind. “Finally, someone said something sensible,” a user commented, while another said, “More people need to talk about this.” One user remarked, “Finally, someone said this; otherwise, people have been blowing the trumpet of hustle culture.”

Kapoor’s remarks quickly gained traction on social media. A video of his speech attracted widespread attention, with many praising his perspective on hustle culture. One Instagram user humorously referenced Narayana Murthy’s recent controversial comments on young people working 70 hours a week, writing, “Narayan Murthy must be getting panic attacks watching this.” Another added, “Narayana Murthy is crying in the corner.”

Kapoor’s refreshing take has sparked a broader conversation about the importance of redefining success—one that includes balance, well-being, and sustainable productivity, a message that many in the industry hope will gain more traction moving forward.