In a recent interview with Hindustan Times, businessman Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actor Shilpa Shetty, delved into the aftermath of his arrest in 2021 over allegations related to the creation and distribution of pornographic films. Despite securing bail, Kundra shared that he continues to face the ‘porn king’ label and is awaiting complete exoneration. The interview sheds light on the impact of the scandal on his marriage, Shilpa’s professional life, and their son Viaan.
Kundra acknowledged that being married to a celebrity magnified the consequences of the controversy, suggesting that the public scrutiny and backlash wouldn’t have been as severe if he were not associated with the Dhadkan starlet. He expressed frustration over the perceived collateral damage, noting that the brunt of the fallout seemed directed at his wife and children.
The brunt of it
“It all happened because I am married to a celebrity. If I was not, I don’t think half this damage would have been done. I feel they weren’t getting at me, but my wife and kids. It’s really unfair that Shilpa had to bear the brunt of it. You attack me, no issues, she was collateral damage,” Kundra remarked.
Despite obtaining bail, Kundra finds himself persistently labeled as the ‘porn king.’ He revealed that even today, Shilpa faces online trolling, with comments referencing her as the ‘porn king’s wife.’ Expressing his indifference to online criticism, Kundra emphasised his concern about the impact on Shilpa and their children, highlighting the trolls’ lack of understanding of the ongoing legal process.
“I don’t care but the last thing I want is my wife and kids reading terms like this. Even today, when Shilpa posts a Valentine’s message, trolls start commenting ‘porn king’s wife’… they don’t know the facts! They are not even giving the judiciary a chance to announce whether I am guilty,” Kundra explained.
On Shilpa’s career
Addressing the effect on the Baazigar actor’s career, Kundra revealed that she suffered professional setbacks, losing certain contracts and television work following his arrest. He deemed it unfair that the actor had to endure these consequences, asserting that the public perception forced her to uphold a certain standard of silence and dignity.
He divulged, “It was horrible. But luckily, we know each other so well. If someone told me something about her, I know how much to believe. She broke into laughter when she heard about the case and said it was not true. If you are living at home together and there is something like porn involved, you would know.”
Kundra furthered on, “We are both self-made. She knew it was rubbish but maintained her silence and dignity. There is a public perception she had to live up to. Unfortunately, she bore the brunt of me being involved by losing certain contracts, and work on television. I found that very unfair.”
Parenting challenges
The interview also touched upon the impact on their son Viaan, who was 10 years old when the controversy unfolded. Kundra shared that Shilpa advised Viaan not to search his father’s name on the internet and shielded him from negative publicity. Despite the challenges, their son remained resilient, relaying his support through letters and drawings sent to Kundra during his time in jail.
The businessman recounted, “Viaan asked what’s happening, so Shilpa told him ‘there are hundreds of questions dad has to answer. Once he does, he will be back’… Viaan was 10. Shilpa spoke to someone at his school, god knows what parents were telling their children. He is a rock-solid kid. He would draw something and send it to me with a letter in jail. He would write ‘Papa missing you, come back soon, finish your work.’”
Remarking on the affectionate bond he shares with his son, Kundra said, “For Viaan, I am his hero. Viaan knew his dad’s company was in his name, I would do no wrong. For him, it’s like a bad dream.”
Despite the challenging circumstances, Kundra remains optimistic about the future and is focused on rebuilding his life. He stressed the need for a fair judgment from the judiciary and expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his family during these trying times.
From real life to big screen
The entrepreneur’s 63-day stint at Arthur Road jail in 2021 after the pornography case propelled him to make his acting debut with UT 69. Directed by Shahnawaz Ali, the satirical biopic drama was released on November 3 to poor reception. It was touted as a captivating journey into the events that unfolded within the prison walls.
While initially contemplating a written account of his incarceration, Kundra found the narrative taking a cinematic turn. In an interview with ANI, he shared the unexpected evolution of the project, stating, “There was no plan for a film; I was writing a book while I was on this 63-day journey inside the jail. My director, who is my friend, took my entire notes.”
After a month, the director approached Kundra with a proposal to transform the gripping narrative into a film. The decision to cast the man himself as the lead was made with a condition: that he would portray his own role. “I believe that the experiences you get in life do not make you a good actor. The experiences you have can make you mature in all fields, be it business or any job,” Kundra explained.
The film sought to offer a glimpse at the harsh realities of life behind bars, offering a satirical commentary on the struggles faced by inmates. Kundra hinted at the lack of remorse within the prison system, where individuals fight for basic necessities like sleep and food. He underlined the importance of providing facilities for rehabilitation to prevent a cycle of incarceration without reform.
“People are fighting inside to sleep, to eat, so whatever it is, there is no remorse in it. These people will come and talk among themselves, and when they come out of jail and there is no reform, they will just go inside crying,” he reflected.
