Kunal Kemmu Gets Called ‘Misogynist’ Over ‘Pregnancy Planning’ Remark In Regards To Deepika Padukone’s 8-Hour Shift Demand

A fresh controversy has reignited Bollywood’s heated debate on work-life balance for new mothers. Kunal Kemmu’s recent podcast comments on Deepika Padukone’s reported push for eight-hour shifts have drawn sharp online backlash. Netizens branded him misogynistic for suggesting women should “plan” pregnancies around career demands.

Kunal Kemmu Gets Called ‘Misogynist’ Over ‘Pregnancy Planning’

During a candid chat on his wife Soha Ali Khan’s podcast, Kunal Kemmu addressed Deepika’s much-talked-about demand. Reports claimed Deepika sought fixed eight-hour shoot schedules post-motherhood to spend time with her baby, allegedly leading to her exit from Spirit and Kalki 2. Kunal argued that actors can’t dictate shorter hours while expecting full pay unless they fund the project themselves.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bollywood Bubble (@bollywoodbubble)

“You become the producer, you put your own money, then you are the boss. Then you decide if you want to work for two hours only, and then you will know that you want to finish a film in time or the project will cost so much and ‘I will lose money’,” he said.

When Soha noted challenges for women whose careers peak during motherhood, Kunal doubled down. “You still have a choice. There is an incubation period of nine months. You can plan it. You have decided to be a mother, you have planned it. Unless you are an accidental mother. It’s a different story. You have to plan it right naa, your planning can’t affect the way the world is working. It goes for men also, it’s a mindset thing, it’s not a man-woman thing.”

Social Media Calls Out Kunal Kemmu For ‘Misogynistic’ Remarks

Social media erupted with criticism. Reddit users mocked his ‘incubation period’ reference, with one commenting, “Incubation period of 9 months, plan it?!! What is he talking about? A group project?!!! This person is a parent & a husband.” Another noted, “This is the kind of manager who adds a pregnant employee to a layoff list (sic).” Many highlighted Kunal’s fatherhood to an eight-year-old daughter while questioning his grasp of women’s reproductive realities.

A third user – mentioning several actors from the industry, noted, “Eww this is such a patriarchal and deeply sexist thought process. Male actors have always had in and out time , Ajay never shoots on Sundays , Akshay only allots 8 hours to all his producers, Govinda used to come 8 hours late on sets, but thats all acceptable because they are men. Unfortunately, this is where you can see that Kunal is not very educated or progressive and Soha did marry a lesser man (sic).”

Never knew he is such a misogynist
by u/ProfitAccording4178 in BollyBlindsNGossip

Kunal maintained his stance, which applied universally. He said, “It’s very easy to do on somebody else’s part. So I am saying, empower yourself and reach a position where it’s possible for you to do this. You can’t say, you give me a job, but now I’ll tell you how you pay me and when I will show up at work. I am saying this in general.”

The backlash underscores ongoing tensions in Bollywood over actor working conditions. Deepika never publicly confirmed the eight-hour demand, but her advocacy for balance as a new mom struck a chord—and a nerve. Kunal’s remarks have now polarised opinions further, with supporters praising his practicality while detractors see insensitivity to women’s unique challenges.

For more news and updates from the entertainment world, stay tuned to Bollywood Bubble.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Supriya Pathak SUPPORTS Deepika Padukone’s 8-Hour Work Shift Demand; Justifies, “As Women, Hamari Bahut Saari Responsibilities Hoti Hain”

Varsha Tiwari

Varsha Tiwari is a budding content writer passionate about Bollywood, pop culture, and the stories behind the spotlight. She enjoys breaking down trends, celebrity moments, and film narratives into engaging, reader-friendly content. Always curious and observant, she is currently pursuing a Master’s in Communication and Journalism. Outside of writing, she enjoys painting because storytelling doesn’t always need words to make an impact.