Barun Sobti on hustle culture: Fortunate to have stayed away from toxicity

Popular actor Barun Sobti believes that while one cannot control success, they can certainly work towards it. In an exclusive chat with India Today Digital, he discussed the growing trend among young people to work harder and longer, often at the expense of their well-being. This phenomenon, commonly known as hustle culture, has received mixed reactions from various industries.
Discussing the need among young people to achieve it all, Barun shared that the problem stems from the agenda. “Success is something that you cannot control, work you can. I know it may sound like big talk but when the fate of certain things is not in your hands, what’s the point of killing yourself? If working hard and long could guarantee success, everyone would have been successful in life. You should work hard but also elevate yourself to things that are relevant to society. Evolving and growing is a constant process, and everyone needs to work towards that.”
The Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon actor further shared that, unlike television, OTT has a more planned schedule. “We shoot 12 hours a day, and the shoot is probably for three months at longest. Even then, the leading characters end up filming about 45-60 days and I am game for that. Personally, I have never been part of a toxic workplace, and I feel extremely fortunate about it. All my sets have been breeding happiness, but I know it’s not the case always. There are so many times when I have liked the story, but when I met the makers, I felt that it was not my place, my comfort zone and I let go of that project,” he shared while talking about toxicity at work.

We further asked if he makes special efforts and plans holidays with family to strike a personal-professional balance. To this Barun replied, “Not really as I enjoy the package of my life. I have fun when I am working, and I enjoy time with my family. That’s the way I have set up my life.”

Barun Sobti shared he next has a light-hearted comedy Ikhatthe, while he is also filming for Kohrra 2. When asked if he doesn’t aspire to see himself on the big screen, the actor smiled to say, “I am really happy in my own space. Big or small screen doesn’t matter now. I feel lucky to be in this place. Also, I think my USP comes from the fact that I come from nowhere, do my job, and go away. So, I want to maintain that, and work at my own pace.”

The actor’s latest web show Raat Jawan Hai, also starring Anjali Anand and Priya Bapat, is streaming on SonyLiv