Suniel Shetty’s parenting remark stirs row over gender stereotypes: 'Wife dekh legi baby'

Suniel Shetty has landed himself in controversy after making a remark that many interpreted as outdated and sexist. The actor, while speaking in a recent interview, appeared to suggest that in a marriage, especially after having a child, the wife should shoulder most of the parenting duties if the husband is focused on building his career.

In a conversation with Pinkvilla, Shetty said, “Aaj kal bachon mein patience hai hi nahi. Shaadi kuch time ke baad ek samjhauta hota hai, where you have to understand each other, live for each other.” He further added, “Phir ek bacha aata hai, aur patni ko yeh jaan na zaruri hai ki husband career banayega toh bache ko main dekh rahi hoon. Husband, of course, saath mein dekhega. Par aaj kal sab cheezon mein pressure bohot ho gaya hai.”

The comments quickly spread across social media, sparking heavy backlash. Many users accused the actor of reinforcing gender stereotypes and disregarding the idea of equal parenting. One user on X wrote, “He needs to stop talking.” Another remarked, “Bhai apni image khud hee kharab kar raha hai. Doesn’t his PR team advise him? Or even people around him?”

A particularly sharp response read, “After the natural birth warrior story, he is back with a male chauvinism anecdote! Seriously, he should just stop talking.” Others pointed out that such views reflect generational bias, with one user saying, “Suniel is ultimately 60+ and has a mindset similar to many people in his age group. This stands true for his contemporaries too.”

Criticism aside, some users also questioned why celebrities continue to make such statements without considering their broader impact, especially when they command large fan followings and influence.

While Shetty has yet to respond to the criticism or issue a clarification, the remarks have reignited debates around parenting roles and gender expectations in modern Indian households.

Professionally, Suniel Shetty is currently part of Hunter 2, streaming on Amazon’s MX Player. He returns as ACP Vikram Sinha, navigating a rescue mission involving his kidnapped daughter.