Bollywood actor Suniel Shetty recently found himself at the centre of an unexpected controversy following a comment made during an interview with News18. The actor, while expressing admiration for his daughter Athiya Shetty’s strength during childbirth, stated that he was proud she opted for a “natural” delivery.
While he meant it as a compliment for his daughter, the internet did not take his comments well and soon he became the subject of discussion across various social media platforms, including Instagram and Reddit.
In an interview with News18, Suniel spoke about his daughter Athiya and her strength during her natural birth delivery. He said, “In a world where everybody wants the comfort of having a caesarean baby, she chose not to do that and had a natural delivery. I remember how every nurse and pediatrician in the hospital said that it’s unbelievable how she went through the whole process. That hit me as a father. I was like, ‘Wow, she’s ready!’ Athiya was very, very strong to do that...Not once has she shown any kind of stress or a frown or indicated that she’s tired and exhausted."
Netizens were quick to respond, calling out the problematic subtext. Critics argued that Shetty’s comments glorified one method of childbirth over another and painted caesarean deliveries as an easier, more convenient option.
One Reddit user wrote, "Yes, because having your body ripped open and re-stitched, then needing it to heal for 6 weeks whilst looking after a newborn and being postpartum doesn't involve pain. I know of women whose stitches reopen and whose healing takes longer. Also, his daughter has access to help, such as nannies, cooks, etc., that most women don't," commented another person," while another wrote, "Isn't pregnancy, any form of childbirth and raising a kid already hard enough? Why is everything a competition? That too, to see who can put themselves through the most pain? Both are horrible but damn. Ik a lot of women who are made fun of behind the scenes for getting a c section. If modern medicine is trying to make things slightly safer for women at such a crucial time, why are you pissed? "Back in my day" bro back in your day a lot of women and children used to die during childbirth. It wasn't perfect back then. God forbid a woman doesn't want to die or torture herself. Society hates to see us make choices that put us in a slightly better situation."
Another user quoted Rachel Green from FRIENDS and wrote, "NO UTERUS NO OPINION."
While Suniel Shetty’s intent may have been to applaud his daughter’s strength, the broader impact of his words highlighted how easily childbirth becomes a subject of public debate, even by those who can never or have never given birth.
So, here’s the real question: should people who’ve never experienced the intensity of labour or the reality of a C-section have any say in how a woman gives birth? Because let’s face it—childbirth is not a competition.
