TCS layoffs: Former Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani quotes Sholay line and sends a message to techies

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) recently announced its plans to lay off 12,000 employees which is roughly 2% of its workforce. Now, former

Tech Mahindra

CEO

CP Gurnani

has shared a thought-provoking message to the Indian tech industry. Quoting the iconic dialogue from popular Bollywood film Sholay “Kitney aadmi the?... Thank God that period will be over.” Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Gurnani has urged the tech industry to move beyond the obsession of headcount and embrace outcome-based models. Gurnani stresses on a shift from the traditional pyramid-style delivery system which has long been associated with Indian IT. He further emphasise that the

Indian tech industry

should prioritise enhanced productivity, specialised skills, and advanced technological capabilities.

A sector in transition

During the recent round of layoffs, TCS insists that the job cuts are not driven by AI but by skill mismatch and the need to realign talent with emerging business demands. TCS CEO K Krithivasan also clarified that the decision of the company is majorly driven by deployment feasibility and not productive gains from AI.Apart from TCS, Infosys and Wipro have also witnessed a decline in headcounters from over 12,000 and 25,000, respectively, in the past two years. Additional, HCLTech also announced restructuring at the company due to location and skill mismatches. Also, experts suggest that the roles such as low level coding, testing and documentation have now become obsolete.

Time to change the working model

For decades, India's IT prowess has been built on its vast talent pool. However, as global demands shift towards more complex, niche, and AI-driven solutions, the emphasis is increasingly on quality over quantity. Former Nassscom chairman Ganesh Natarajan also spoke in support of Gurnani’s viewpoint. Natarajan called the pyramid model as ‘Jurassic Park material’. He also feels that agentic AI — software that autonomously performs complex tasks—will force companies to rethink team structures and delivery models.

Analyst are also of the viewpoint that the layoffs may also increase due to the market share shifts and vendor consolidation, not just automation. The entry level jobs at BPO and customer service roles are the most vulnerable. Gurnani’s message aims to encourage Indian tech professionals to upskill and reskill and embrace new