Kareena Kapoor’s Uncle Kunal Kapoor Sparks Debate, Calls Vegetarians ‘Racist’ Over Food Choices

Actor, filmmaker and theatre enthusiast Kunal Kapoor, uncle of Bollywood star Kareena Kapoor Khan, has stirred controversy with his candid remarks on vegetarianism. Known for his outspoken nature, the veteran actor recently said he considers strict vegetarians to be “racist”, a comment that has triggered widespread debate online.

Kunal Kapoor, son of late legendary actor Shashi Kapoor, made these remarks during a conversation on Pooja Bhatt’s podcast. Sharing his views, he questioned what he described as a lack of reciprocity when it comes to food preferences between vegetarians and non-vegetarians.

“I think vegetarians are racist,” Kunal Kapoor said bluntly. Elaborating on his statement, he added that while he ensures both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food options are available when vegetarians visit his home, he does not receive the same consideration when he visits vegetarian households.

“When a vegetarian comes to my house, I serve them vegetarian food. I also serve non-vegetarian food if they want. But when I go to a vegetarian’s home, I’m never offered non-vegetarian food. Yet, I still host them generously at my place,” he said.

Reacting with laughter, host Pooja Bhatt—who mentioned her preference for vegetarian French cuisine—asked Kunal if that made her racist too. Kunal replied in the affirmative, jokingly saying that refusing to serve non-vegetarian food amounted to discrimination in his view.

The remarks have drawn mixed reactions, with some calling his comments provocative and insensitive, while others see them as a critique of social double standards around food habits.

Kunal Kapoor’s Film Legacy

Kunal Kapoor began his acting career with the Indo-American film ‘Siddhartha’ (1972), directed by Conrad Rooks, in which he played Shashi Kapoor’s son. He later appeared alongside his parents in Shyam Benegal’s ‘Junoon’ (1979) and featured in ‘Ahista Ahista’ (1981), which also starred his uncle Shammi Kapoor. He was last seen playing Shashi Kapoor’s son again in Govind Nihalani’s ‘Vijeta’ (1982).

Kapoor Family and Their Love for Food

The Kapoor family is famously known for its love of food, especially traditional non-vegetarian dishes like paya (a slow-cooked soup made from animal trotters). This culinary legacy was highlighted in Netflix India’s documentary ‘Dining With the Kapoors’, produced by Kunal’s nephew Armaan Jain. In interviews, Armaan has often described Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor as avid food lovers.

Kunal Kapoor’s remarks may have been delivered with humor, but they have undeniably reignited conversations around food choices, cultural practices, and personal freedom, proving once again that when it comes to diet in India, emotions often run as high as opinions.