Forget work-life balance: NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang says ‘I work as much as I can’ and Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma agrees |

NVIDIA’s CEO Jensen Huang says ‘I work as much as I can’ and Paytm’s Vijay Shekhar Sharma agrees In a world increasingly concerned with mental health, productivity, and personal well-being, work-life balance remains one of the most hotly debated topics in corporate culture. The question of how much one should work—and at what cost—has made headlines time and again. Whether it’s employees demanding more personal time or CEOs advocating for relentless hustle, the tug-of-war between personal life and professional commitment defines much of the modern workforce experience.On May 18, 2025, this debate took another high-profile turn when Paytm CEO Vijay Shekhar Sharma reposted a viral interview featuring NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang. In it, Huang candidly discussed his own version of “work-life balance,” which, as it turns out, skews heavily toward work. Sharma’s repost implied agreement, noting that he follows a similar lifestyle “more or less.”Huang’s remarks reignited online discussions and drew reactions from shareholders, tech professionals, wellness advocates, and even meme-makers. But this is not the first time that India’s corporate circles have found themselves at the crossroads of hustle culture and employee well-being. Earlier in 2024, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Chairman SN Subrahmanyan made headlines for advocating a 90-hour work week—a comment that created ripples across industries and society alike.

Jensen Huang’s ‘work-life balance’: All work, all the time

During a recent public interview, Jensen Huang, the high-profile CEO of NVIDIA, was asked a seemingly simple question: What’s your work-life balance like? His answer was anything but ordinary.“I work as much as I can… I work from the moment I wake up to the moment I go to bed. I work seven days a week. When I’m not working, I’m thinking about work. And when I’m working, I’m working.”Huang even joked that the interviewer was probably judging him. He admitted that while he occasionally watches movies with his family, he rarely remembers them—his mind remains consumed by work. While his answer was delivered with a humorous tone, it reflected an intense commitment to his profession, one that is emblematic of Silicon Valley’s unrelenting work culture.Interestingly, rather than being met with universal concern or criticism, Huang’s remarks resonated with many in the startup and investor community. Vijay Shekhar Sharma, CEO of Paytm, reposted the clip, stating, “More or less, I do the same.”

Vijay Shekhar Sharma and India’s hustle culture

Sharma’s acknowledgment of Huang’s lifestyle mirrors his own long-standing reputation as a tireless entrepreneur. Having built Paytm into one of India’s largest fintech companies, Sharma has frequently expressed admiration for all-consuming work ethics.Upon sharing Huang’s video, Sharma received mixed reactions. One commenter wrote, “And that makes me happy as a Paytm shareholder,” applauding the CEO’s dedication. Others, however, raised critical questions—especially regarding long-term health and sustainability. One user asked: “I get the fulfilment one gets when one completely surrenders to work, but how do you manage health then? What’s your POV?”The question echoes a growing sentiment among younger professionals and wellness advocates who challenge the notion that success requires sacrificing personal well-being.

Flashback to the 90-hour workweek controversy

The Paytm-NVIDIA exchange wasn’t an isolated incident. Earlier in 2024, L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan triggered a firestorm by suggesting that employees should consider working 90 hours a week, including Sundays, to be truly successful. The statement was met with immediate backlash from both corporate leaders and celebrities.Industry and celebrity reactions

• Anand Mahindra, Chairman of the Mahindra Group, tactfully rejected the 90-hour model, tweeting about the importance of creativity, leisure, and family time.

• Harsh Goenka of RPG Group mocked the idea, pointing out the risks of burnout and mental fatigue.

• Deepika Padukone, actor, took a firm stand on the importance of emotional well-being in high-pressure environments.

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