The work-life balance debate has returned after Larsen & Toubro (L&T) chairman SN Subrahmanyan sparked a row with his remarks in favor of a 90-hour work week.

His comment, “How long can you look at your wife,” faced widespread criticism, prompting sharp reactions from business leaders and the public alike.

Amid this storm, Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani shared a surprising and personal encounter with Subrahmanyan, shedding light on a different side of the L&T chairman.

“A couple of months ago, I got an email out of the blue. I had never met Mr. Subrahmanyan, but it’s not every day that the chairman of a giant like L&T asks to meet. So I went,” he write Bikhchandani in a post on X.

For an hour, Subrahmanyan spoke about entrepreneurship, startups and digital transformation. “There was no agenda except that I wanted to learn,” Bikhchandani said. “I found him humble and kind, sharing stories about his career and his family.”

Towards the end of their meeting, Bikhchandani asked Subrahmanyan about L&T’s cash reserves. “He gave me a wild figure: Rs 50 billion, I think. I advised him to invest some of that judiciously in startups. India needs domestic venture capital, and a company with L&T’s balance sheet could lead the way “.

Bikhchandani explained how investments in companies like Zomato and PolicyBazaar had generated significant returns for Info Edge. “We agreed to meet again to discuss ideas. I left impressed. He even walked me to my car.”

While Bikhchandani’s account paints Subrahmanyan as approachable and eager to learn, his workweek comments have sparked outrage. Industry leaders like Harsh Goenka and Harsh Mariwala criticized the idea, emphasizing the importance of quality work during hours. “The reconciliation of work and family life is not optional; it is essential,” said Goenka.

Billionaire Gautam Adani recently offered a more balanced perspective, suggesting that individuals define their own work-life priorities. “If you and your family are happy, that’s what matters,” Adani noted.