‘Wahi kaala kapda laga ke so jaate the’: Hiten Tejwani on the harsh reality of television industry’s relentless work culture; why guilt is associated with taking breaks

He continued, “Sunday bhi humein kaam karna padta hai. Humaari industry waalo ka bas chale toh woh hum log se 15 August ko bhi kaam karwaye, 26 January ko bhi kaam karwaye. Woh sab because telecasting is important. Telecast nahi hoga toh what do you do? Yeh bhi hota hai and it is not easy (We have to work even on Sundays. If it were up to people in our industry, they would have us work on August 15 and January 26 as well — because telecasting is a priority. If the telecast doesn’t happen, what can you do? This is the reality, and it’s not easy).”

His words resonate beyond television, reflecting the struggles of employees in various industries who find themselves working without breaks. While much has been said about the health risks of overworking, there is also a deeper conversation to be had about the guilt associated with taking breaks, and whether excessive work can lead to a decline in productivity.

 

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Psychological factors contribute to people feeling guilty or anxious about taking breaks

Gurleen Baruah, organisational psychologist at That Culture Thing, tells indianexpress.com, “There are a few psychological factors at play here, and they’re often unique to each person. For some, it’s rooted in the belief that not working or being productive is somehow wrong. This mindset is often learned in childhood, especially in environments where love and approval felt conditional — where achievements were praised more than just being oneself. As adults, this can create an inner narrative that says, ‘I’m valuable only when I’m productive,’ making it hard to relax without guilt.”

Then there’s the influence of organisational culture, she notes. “In workplaces where overwork, hustle, and constant busyness are rewarded or even celebrated, people naturally internalise those expectations,” explains Baruah. 

Can productivity actually decline when people consistently push themselves beyond standard work hours, and if so, why?

Baruah states, “Yes, productivity can definitely decline when people consistently push beyond standard work hours, and there’s solid research and psychological reasoning behind this.”

She adds, “Cal Newport’s Deep Work highlights that our brains have a limited capacity for sustained, high-quality focus. When people overextend their work hours, they’re not adding more deep work — they’re often just increasing shallow, less meaningful tasks. In fact, Newport points out that switching between tasks or getting interrupted during deep work can cost up to 23 minutes to fully regain focus. So, longer hours don’t mean more productivity; they often mean more time spent recovering from mental disruptions.”

There’s also the law of diminishing returns at play. While initial extra hours might yield some output, over time, the quality and efficiency drop sharply.