Namita Thapar Hates 70-90 Hour Work Weeks: Netflix’s Adolescence Shows Overwork Hurts Kids
Gurjeet Kaur | Apr 15, 2025, 22:38 IST
Dive into the gripping world of Adolescence, Netflix’s bold new series that’s sparking debates from London to India! Follow 13-year-old Jamie Miller, a boy next door turned killer, as his shattered family unravels in real-time, single-shot episodes. Namita Thapar, Shark Tank India’s powerhouse, ties this raw tale to the 70-90 hour work week buzz—warning overworked parents about the cost of neglecting their teens. A chilling mix of crime, emotion, and modern-day struggles, this four-episode rollercoaster will leave you questioning: how well do you know your kids?
One evening, Namita Thapar, a big name from Shark Tank India and the boss at Emcure Pharmaceuticals, sat down to watch 'Adolescence' on Netflix. As a mom to two teenage boys, she felt a pang watching Jamie Miller, the show’s struggling kid, deal with his dad’s huge expectations and long absences. It wasn’t just a TV story—it hit home.
To her, it was like looking at the big argument happening all over India: should people really work 70-90 hours a week?
Namita, scrolling LinkedIn late one evening, her mind buzzing from a day of deals and decisions. She starts typing, her words spilling out like a confession. “Kids are fragile,” she begins. “They idolize us— their parents. When they think we’re ashamed of them, it’s a silent wound.” She paints a vivid scene from 'Adolescence': Jamie, desperate to win his dad’s pride through football and boxing, only to falter and feel invisible. “His dad never said otherwise,” she writes, “and that silence spoke louder than words.”
Then she turns the lens on herself. Rewind to her own teenage years—a girl with a husky voice, a shadow of facial hair, and a fierce aversion to frills and femininity. Her mom, bless her sweet soul, nudged her into singing lessons, Kathak dance, even balancing books on her head—anything to soften the edges. “Good intent,” Namita admits, “but it left scars.” Her father, meanwhile, fretted over her school’s prestige, tried to switch her out, and failed. “I thought he was ashamed,” she recalls. Two loving parents, yet their efforts carved years of self-doubt and emotional eating into her story. She clawed her way back to confidence—but not every kid does.
Fast forward to Jamie’s tale: locked in his room, his dad buried in a 70-hour grind, missing every flickering sign of trouble. “That’s the tragedy,” Namita warns. “If we bring kids into this wild world, we owe them our time.” Her verdict is fierce: say no to insane work weeks, or say no to parenting altogether. “Watch the show,” she challenges the hustle-hard crowd. “See what’s at stake.”
This isn’t a new fight. It kicked off when Infosys legend NR Narayan Murthy threw down the gauntlet, urging India’s workforce to stretch their days for the nation’s glory. The idea split the room—some cheered the grit, others decried the burnout. Namita’s not alone in pushing back. Dr. Chandni Tugnait, a psychotherapist with a knack for decoding minds, chimes in: “Teens see everything—the tired sighs, the skipped meals, the half-listening eyes. They don’t shout it, but they feel it.” When parents vanish into work, she says, kids drift—hunting for belonging in corners far from home.
3. What is the story of Adolescence :
Netflix series called Adolescence got everyone talking, even in India. it feels close to home because it’s about— family, growing up, and the messy world of teenagers today. The story is simple but heavy. It’s about a 13-year-old boy named Jamie Miller who gets arrested for killing a girl from his school. Yep, you read that right—a kid that young. The show starts with the police barging into his house, and from there, it’s all about figuring out why this happened. His family—his dad Eddie, mom Manda, and sister Lisa—are totally shocked and torn apart. They’re just a normal family, like one you might know, which makes it hit harder.
What’s cool and kind of crazy is how they filmed it. Every episode is one long shot—no cuts, no breaks. It’s like you’re right there with them, feeling every second of the tension. The first episode is at the police station, the second at Jamie’s school, the third with a therapist, and the last one shows the family months later. Each one digs deeper into what’s going on.
Now, why should Indian care? Well, it’s not just about a crime. It’s about things we see here too—how kids are glued to their phones, how social media can mess with their heads, and how boys sometimes get these toxic ideas about being “tough” or hating girls. There’s this word “incel” that pops up—it’s about guys who feel rejected and get angry online, and the show shows how that can turn dangerous. Sounds familiar, right? With all the WhatsApp groups and Instagram drama our kids deal with?
The acting is so real—Stephen Graham as the dad is heartbreaking, and the kid, Owen Cooper, is scarily good. It’s not a loud, flashy show. It’s quiet, slow, and makes you think. Indian filmmakers like Hansal Mehta and Alia Bhatt loved it, saying it’s raw and makes you look at parenting in a new way.
So, if you’re up for something intense that’s not your usual Bollywood masala, give Adolescence a watch. It’s only four episodes, but it’ll stick with you. It’s like a mirror to what’s happening with kids today—here or anywhere. What do you think—sounds worth a try? it’s about— family, growing up, and the messy world of teenagers today.
5. Long work hours don’t feel like a prize :
For Namita, those long work hours don’t feel like a prize anymore—they’re like shadows stealing family dinner moments. She’s not just talking big; she’s been in the tough corporate world herself. But now, seeing her two boys figure out their teenage life, she’s saying enough is enough. It’s not only about working hard—it’s about being there for the people who matter when the day is done.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
To her, it was like looking at the big argument happening all over India: should people really work 70-90 hours a week?
Namita, scrolling LinkedIn late one evening, her mind buzzing from a day of deals and decisions. She starts typing, her words spilling out like a confession. “Kids are fragile,” she begins. “They idolize us— their parents. When they think we’re ashamed of them, it’s a silent wound.” She paints a vivid scene from 'Adolescence': Jamie, desperate to win his dad’s pride through football and boxing, only to falter and feel invisible. “His dad never said otherwise,” she writes, “and that silence spoke louder than words.”
1. Namita Rewind Her Teenage Years :
Namita Thapar
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Then she turns the lens on herself. Rewind to her own teenage years—a girl with a husky voice, a shadow of facial hair, and a fierce aversion to frills and femininity. Her mom, bless her sweet soul, nudged her into singing lessons, Kathak dance, even balancing books on her head—anything to soften the edges. “Good intent,” Namita admits, “but it left scars.” Her father, meanwhile, fretted over her school’s prestige, tried to switch her out, and failed. “I thought he was ashamed,” she recalls. Two loving parents, yet their efforts carved years of self-doubt and emotional eating into her story. She clawed her way back to confidence—but not every kid does.
2. Kids Owe Our Time:
Social Media Use
( Image credit : Pexels )
Fast forward to Jamie’s tale: locked in his room, his dad buried in a 70-hour grind, missing every flickering sign of trouble. “That’s the tragedy,” Namita warns. “If we bring kids into this wild world, we owe them our time.” Her verdict is fierce: say no to insane work weeks, or say no to parenting altogether. “Watch the show,” she challenges the hustle-hard crowd. “See what’s at stake.”
This isn’t a new fight. It kicked off when Infosys legend NR Narayan Murthy threw down the gauntlet, urging India’s workforce to stretch their days for the nation’s glory. The idea split the room—some cheered the grit, others decried the burnout. Namita’s not alone in pushing back. Dr. Chandni Tugnait, a psychotherapist with a knack for decoding minds, chimes in: “Teens see everything—the tired sighs, the skipped meals, the half-listening eyes. They don’t shout it, but they feel it.” When parents vanish into work, she says, kids drift—hunting for belonging in corners far from home.
3. What is the story of Adolescence :
Adolescence Show
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Netflix series called Adolescence got everyone talking, even in India. it feels close to home because it’s about— family, growing up, and the messy world of teenagers today. The story is simple but heavy. It’s about a 13-year-old boy named Jamie Miller who gets arrested for killing a girl from his school. Yep, you read that right—a kid that young. The show starts with the police barging into his house, and from there, it’s all about figuring out why this happened. His family—his dad Eddie, mom Manda, and sister Lisa—are totally shocked and torn apart. They’re just a normal family, like one you might know, which makes it hit harder.
What’s cool and kind of crazy is how they filmed it. Every episode is one long shot—no cuts, no breaks. It’s like you’re right there with them, feeling every second of the tension. The first episode is at the police station, the second at Jamie’s school, the third with a therapist, and the last one shows the family months later. Each one digs deeper into what’s going on.
4. Social Media And Kids :
Social media
( Image credit : Times Life Bureau )
Now, why should Indian care? Well, it’s not just about a crime. It’s about things we see here too—how kids are glued to their phones, how social media can mess with their heads, and how boys sometimes get these toxic ideas about being “tough” or hating girls. There’s this word “incel” that pops up—it’s about guys who feel rejected and get angry online, and the show shows how that can turn dangerous. Sounds familiar, right? With all the WhatsApp groups and Instagram drama our kids deal with?
The acting is so real—Stephen Graham as the dad is heartbreaking, and the kid, Owen Cooper, is scarily good. It’s not a loud, flashy show. It’s quiet, slow, and makes you think. Indian filmmakers like Hansal Mehta and Alia Bhatt loved it, saying it’s raw and makes you look at parenting in a new way.
So, if you’re up for something intense that’s not your usual Bollywood masala, give Adolescence a watch. It’s only four episodes, but it’ll stick with you. It’s like a mirror to what’s happening with kids today—here or anywhere. What do you think—sounds worth a try? it’s about— family, growing up, and the messy world of teenagers today.
5. Long work hours don’t feel like a prize :
Long Work Hour
( Image credit : Freepik )
For Namita, those long work hours don’t feel like a prize anymore—they’re like shadows stealing family dinner moments. She’s not just talking big; she’s been in the tough corporate world herself. But now, seeing her two boys figure out their teenage life, she’s saying enough is enough. It’s not only about working hard—it’s about being there for the people who matter when the day is done.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!