Deepika Padukone ignited a significant discussion in Bollywood last year by promoting an eight-hour workday for actors to enhance work-life balance. Recently, Kunal Kemmu responded to her call for reduced working hours after motherhood, suggesting that individuals should strategically plan their careers during the nine months of pregnancy. His comments were met with criticism from some, as many social media users labeled him as misogynistic.
Kunal Kemmu's comments on Deepika Padukone's request for an 8-hour work shift
In a conversation on Soha Ali Khan's podcast, Kunal stated that it is unreasonable to expect higher pay for less work. He further mentioned that if someone desires such authority, they should take on the role of a producer and finance a project themselves.
He stated, "If you choose to work for just 2 hours, you'll realize you can't complete the film on schedule, or the project will become too expensive, causing me to lose money. It's simple to do when it's someone else's responsibility. Therefore, I'm advising you to empower yourself and attain a position where you can make these decisions. You can't demand a job and then dictate your payment terms and work hours. I'm speaking generally."
When Soha mentioned that it can be challenging for women who decide to become mothers while their careers are at their peak, Kunal replied, “But you still have a choice; there's a nine-month incubation period, so you can plan it. You've chosen to be a mother, so you can organize it. Unless it's an unplanned pregnancy, that's a different matter. You need to plan it properly, right? Your planning shouldn't disrupt how the world operates. This applies to men as well; it's a mindset issue, not a gender issue.”
Internet reacts to Kunal Kemmu's comment
His remarks quickly appeared on Reddit, prompting numerous users to voice their dissatisfaction. One user remarked, “Nine-month incubation period, plan it?!! What is he referring to? A group project?!!! This individual is both a parent and a spouse.” Another user added, “These so-called men are hidden misogynists with a patriarchal mentality.”
Someone else commented, "Ugh, this reflects a very patriarchal and deeply sexist mindset. Male actors have always had flexible schedules. Ajay never works on Sundays, Akshay limits his time to 8 hours for all his producers, and Govinda used to arrive 8 hours late on set, yet that's all deemed acceptable because they are men. Sadly, this shows that Kunal is not very forward-thinking."
Another comment stated, "How can a producer think like this... and this person is a father? Ask any new parent, it's impossible to plan anything during the initial years of a child's life. How can a woman be expected to plan a film months ahead?" Someone else added, "Kunal Khemu has hidden his misogynistic views quite effectively until now."
Nevertheless, a few individuals supported him. One commented, "He is being reasonable. I can't understand why people criticize others without fully listening. He does say 'unless you’re an accidental mother,' indicating that in such situations, the timing would change."
Regarding Deepika Padukone's request for an 8-hour work schedule
In 2025, Deepika Padukone is said to have left the film Spirit, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, because she allegedly requested an eight-hour workday and a portion of the movie's earnings. The actress reportedly desired to limit her work to eight hours daily during filming to have time with her daughter, Dua.
The creators of the sequel to Kalki 2898 AD, titled Following Spirit, revealed that Deepika would not be involved in the project due to scheduling conflicts. Shortly after her departure, online reports emerged suggesting that she had requested a seven-hour workday and a salary increase, which reportedly caused the disagreement.
