There was a time when Sunil Shetty was the quiet rock of Bollywood. Known more for his solid screen presence and chiselled silence than controversial opinions, he was respected — even admired — for keeping his private life away from public judgment. But times change. And when words leave the mouth of someone who once kept so quiet, they carry an unexpected weight.

This week, that weight came crashing down.

In a recent interview promoting a wellness campaign for modern families, Sunil Shetty took a firm tone when talking about what he believes is “missing” in today’s parenting — specifically, motherhood. With cameras rolling and lights flashing, he said, “A woman’s most sacred duty is raising her children right. If that slips, society falls apart.”

It wasn’t said with malice. It didn’t even sound aggressive. But the moment it was clipped, posted, and replayed across social media, the backlash was unstoppable.

Comments exploded. Netizens fumed. And the biggest question thrown back at him was one that came with a dagger of irony: “Wasn’t it your wife who made you rich in the first place?”

Indeed, the narrative that Sunil Shetty’s financial empire was heavily backed — if not fully built — by his wife Mana Shetty is not new. In hushed corners of the industry and open forums online, people have long discussed how Mana’s real estate business and entrepreneurial ventures provided the foundation for the Shetty household’s wealth.

She wasn’t a mere “star wife.” Mana Shetty was a powerhouse in her own right. From launching the lifestyle brand “R-House” to her deep involvement in luxury design and construction, her career soared quietly as Sunil’s film graph dimmed over time.

So when Sunil, now 62, decided to lecture women about their “primary role” being caretakers, many saw it as hypocrisy. Some called it tone-deaf. Others, downright offensive.

Twitter erupted.
“She built his empire, and now he wants to tell women to stay home?”
“Sunil Shetty living in a glass mansion built by his wife and throwing stones at women working to balance life.”
“He really thinks he’s still in a 90s action movie.”

It didn’t help that the clip went viral at the same time as a resurfaced interview where Mana had candidly admitted to being the backbone of their finances during Sunil’s early struggles. “There were times he wasn’t sure about the next film. I just kept working,” she said years ago, with no bitterness, just grace.

That grace now feels like a glaring contrast to her husband’s recent words.

Women across all professions — from entrepreneurs to homemakers — voiced their frustration. “Parenting is shared. And advice from a man whose wealth came from a woman should come with humility, not prescriptions,” wrote a popular columnist. Others echoed similar thoughts, arguing that while intentions might have been good, the delivery exposed a deeply outdated mindset.

Sunil did try to defend himself the next day.

“I wasn’t trying to insult working women,” he said in a follow-up post. “I was speaking from a place of tradition and values.”

But it was too late. The internet rarely forgets. And even more rarely, forgives without accountability.

Mana has remained silent. No public statements. No social media clues. But some believe her silence speaks volumes. Those who know her say she’s “deeply private” and doesn’t engage in drama — even when dragged into it.

Still, many can’t help but wonder: What does she feel about this storm? The man she supported — emotionally, financially, publicly — now on a national stage, seemingly telling other women to be less like her.

The irony is thick. Almost cinematic. A man celebrated for marrying an ambitious, independent woman now drawing fire for urging others to stay confined within domestic walls.

Even Sunil’s longtime fans seemed confused.

“I grew up admiring his respect for his wife’s strength,” one user wrote. “That’s why this feels like such a betrayal of the image I had of him.”

The controversy also triggered a broader conversation — not just about Sunil, but about how men in positions of influence continue to offer unsolicited advice to women, especially when those women have walked longer, harder paths.

“Why is it always women who are told what their sacred role is?” asked one viral post. “When was the last time a male actor got on camera and told fathers to sacrifice their careers to stay home with the kids?”

And perhaps that’s the point. The gendered expectations. The selective memory. The selective morality.

Sunil Shetty may not have meant harm. But the harm has been felt. Not because he offered thoughts on parenting — but because he did so from a pedestal partly built by a woman’s quiet strength, only to now preach from it as though forgetting who helped him climb.

There’s a lesson here, many say, not just for Sunil but for all men watching. Success, especially when shared, demands humility. And advice about parenting — especially to women who juggle ten roles a day — should come with empathy, not judgment.

The industry, too, is watching. Actors who once looked up to Sunil as a symbol of calm dignity now find themselves grappling with a changed perception. Some have distanced themselves quietly. Others have voiced support for Mana without naming her directly.

As the storm brews, some predict he’ll lie low. Others believe he may double down, clarifying further. But what’s undeniable is that something broke in public perception.

Sunil Shetty is no longer just a silent action star of the past. He’s now a man forced to reckon with the voices of a present that no longer tolerates one-sided wisdom.

And as Mana continues to walk with dignity, many now look at her not just as “Sunil Shetty’s wife,” but as the woman who quietly built an empire — only to watch it be used as a stage to silence the very voices it once uplifted.