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‘Vegetarians are racist’: Kunal Kapoor’s remark triggers online backlash calling him 'enititled' and 'dumb'

Kunal Kapoor faces backlash for remarks on vegetarianism, claiming vegetarians are racist. Some users also defended him, suggesting that he was joking.

Published on: Dec 30, 2025, 10:55:06 IST
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Actor and filmmaker Kunal Kapoor, son of the late Shashi Kapoor and uncle to Ranbir Kapoor, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial comments about vegetarianism. His remarks, made during a conversation on Pooja Bhatt’s podcast, have drawn sharp criticism, with many social media users calling them insensitive and entitled.

Kunal Kapoor's podcast comments labeling vegetarians as racist sparked a social media uproar, drawing both criticism and support.
Kunal Kapoor's podcast comments labeling vegetarians as racist sparked a social media uproar, drawing both criticism and support.

Kunal Kapoor called vegetarians ‘racist’

During the discussion, Kunal bluntly stated, “I think vegetarians are racist.” When Pooja Bhatt questioned him, laughing and asking, “So, I’m a racist?”. He doubled down, explaining that he feels excluded as a non-vegetarian. According to him, he serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food to his guests at home, but does not receive the same treatment when visiting vegetarian households, which he views as unfair.

Reddit calls Kunal ‘entitled’ and 'dumb'

Soon after stories from the podcast surfaced, Reddit users slammed Kunal for what they perceived as entitlement and a dismissive attitude toward others’ dietary beliefs. One user wrote, “Ok Karen, calm down.. the world doesn't revolve around your needs. If you go to someone's home or someone's country, it's important to assimilate instead of claiming to be almighty and wronged all the time. Oh wait, it's a Kapoor. I won't waste my breath.”

Another user commented, “Racism is not the same as discriminatory or exclusionary. These people need to get a dictionary because they think they sound intelligent when they are actually stupid.”

The criticism intensified, with one remark stating, “They are dumb, the majority of them can’t even pass 12th standard with all their resources, let alone go to university/college. Kapoors aren’t exactly the brightest to say the least.” Another responded, “Not dumb. Entitled and privileged.”

Others were even harsher. One comment read, “The whole family is so screwed up in the head! What is even the point of blabbering all this nonsense, bruhhhh!”.

However, not all reactions were negative. Some users came out in support of Kunal, suggesting that his comments were taken out of context. One wrote, “It might be said in a humorous tone, and the paper made it clickbait. The fact remains- non-veg people give exclusive options to the veg people during invitations. But we, non-veg people, don't get the same options in gatherings hosted by vegetarian families. This is a fact and veg. People can give all their reasons, and we understand that. But yeah - there are no options exclusively for non-veg people in such gatherings.”

Another simply said, “He's clearly joking.”

About Ranbir Kapoor turning vegetarian for Ramayana

The controversy also arrived just days after Ranbir Kapoor faced backlash for eating what appeared to be non-vegetarian food on Netflix’s Dining With The Kapoors. Viewers questioned whether Ranbir had truly given up non-veg food for his role as Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s upcoming Ramayana, as he had claimed earlier. While it remains unclear whether the dishes shown were vegetarian or not, the incident added fuel to the ongoing debate surrounding food choices within the Kapoor family.

  • Ritika Kumar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Ritika Kumar

    Ritika Kumar is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience, having written for newspapers, magazines, and online platforms, catering to a diverse range of audiences. Over the years, she has covered general news, lifestyle, and entertainment, building a reputation for sharp observation, compelling storytelling, and an ability to connect with readers across multiple formats. She holds a graduation degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and a postgraduate diploma from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media, Bangalore. Before joining Hindustan Times, Ritika worked with prominent media organizations including The Times of India, Press Trust of India, NDTV, and the Malayala Manorama Group. These roles allowed her to refine her skills across various beats, mastering the nuances of different formats and tailoring her writing to readers of newspapers, magazines, and digital platforms alike. Beyond journalism, Ritika is deeply passionate about poetry, drawing inspiration from voices ranging from Faiz Ahmed Faiz to T.S. Eliot. She is also a keen cinephile, enjoying discussions about cinematography, acting, and the subtle layers of storytelling on screen. A lover of travel and the outdoors, Ritika often finds inspiration in nature, where she reflects on life’s rhythms. When not working, she can be found soaking in the serene glow of sunsets and reflecting on the intricate workings of the human heartRead More

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