Kunal Kemmu Faces Backlash For ‘Misogynistic’ Pregnancy Remark Amid Deepika Padukone’s 8-Hour Shift Debate

Online criticism has intensified against Kunal Kemmu after remarks about Deepika Padukone’s reported request for eight-hour shifts resurfaced, with many accusing the actor of a “sexist thought process.” Social media users linked the controversy to Deepika’s pregnancy, arguing that Kemmu’s comments showed insensitivity towards women’s health, maternity needs, and basic workplace rights within the film industry.

The backlash centres on a podcast chat between Kunal Kemmu and Soha Ali Khan, where Kemmu discussed Deepika’s alleged demand for limited working hours while reportedly planning for pregnancy. Netizens claimed the conversation reflected “misogynistic” attitudes, noting that such views ignore how demanding film shoots can be for women at different reproductive stages.

Kunal Kemmu Deepika Padukone eight-hour workday pregnancy remark draws criticism

During the podcast, Kemmu argued that a person should not expect reduced working hours while earning higher pay, unless investing personal money in the project. Kemmu suggested that women ought to “plan” pregnancies around work. Critics felt the remarks trivialised how pregnancies happen and dismissed the physical and emotional strain tied to conception and maternity.

Reactions built quickly on platforms such as Reddit, where users questioned how Kemmu, who has an eight-year-old daughter, could speak this way. One widely shared comment read, "Incubation period of 9 months, plan it?!! What is he talking about? A group project?!!! This person is a parent & a husband (sic)." Many said the statement showed little understanding of pregnancy realities.

Netizens link Kunal Kemmu Deepika Padukone eight-hour workday debate to industry norms

Another Reddit user highlighted workplace bias and wrote, "This is the kind of manager who adds a pregnant employee to a layoff list (sic)." Multiple posts argued that such thinking mirrors broader corporate and film set cultures, where expecting mothers face subtle penalties for seeking flexibility or basic health safeguards during their professional commitments.

One detailed comment contrasted Deepika’s reported demand with male actors’ long-standing conditions in Bollywood. The user wrote, "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)." Commenters argued this double standard exposed unequal treatment between male and female stars.

Another Redditor defended Deepika’s stance on hours, calling Kemmu’s position a narrow “producer’s take.” The user wrote, "Such a producers take and this man is a dad? Ask literally any new parent, you cant plan anything for the first few years of a babys life. How is a woman supposed to schedule a film months in advance? All she did was say she could give 8 hours a day, which is a completely reasonable ask. Its not like she was forcing the production to bend to her terms, she simply put her condition forward and when it didnt work out, she walked away (sic)."

Several users also argued that Kemmu’s remarks overlooked women who are trying to conceive, undergoing treatment, or planning long-term family life while working. They said his view reduced pregnancy to a simple scheduling issue. Many called the approach “myopic,” insisting it ignored how women balance physical health, career demands, and family planning in an unpredictable industry.

Parallel to this controversy, Deepika Padukone has spoken publicly about limiting workdays to eight hours, stressing its importance for mental and physical health. A long-time voice on mental health issues, Deepika has said that a structured schedule benefits everyone on set, not just actors, and that her perspective gained further weight after embracing motherhood.

The actor has argued that long, irregular shifts heighten stress and burnout in film crews. According to Deepika, more predictable timing could improve both wellbeing and productivity. She said, "We have normalised overworking. We mistake burnout for commitment. Eight hours of work a day is enough for the human body and mind. Only when you're healthy can you give your best. Bringing a burnt-out person back into the system helps no one. In my own office, we work eight hours a day, Monday to Friday. We have maternity and paternity policies. We should normalise bringing children to work," she said. For many netizens following the Kunal Kemmu debate, these earlier comments underscored why Deepika’s reported request for an eight-hour day appeared reasonable rather than demanding.