Shilpa Shetty's businessman husband, Raj Kundra was arrested in July 2021 for alleged involvement in the creation and distribution of pornographic films through apps. Later, he also got bail, but the 48-year-old celebrity husband is yet to get a clean chit. After going through the turmoil, Raj also documented his experiences from the incident in his 2023 film, UT69. The film was based on the notes he wrote during his stay in jail. Now, he also opened up about the effects the incident had on his family members.
In an interview with Hindustan Times, Raj Kundra revealed that the reports about his arrest due to his alleged involvement in the creation and distribution of pornographic films happened because he is married to a renowned celebrity. However, he firmly believes that the incident would have had no impact if he wasn't Shilpa Shetty's husband. Moreover, revealing how his alleged scandal impacted his family, he mentioned that Shilpa lost certain contracts and television work after his arrest. He said:
"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."
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Further, Raj mentioned how even after his bail, he is being labelled as the 'porn king'. Not only that, explaining his ordeal, Raj shared the trolls are also, at times, directed towards Shilpa. Although he mentioned not caring a bit about the online trolling and that he deletes and blocks them on social media, he added how they affect Shilpa. In Raj's words:
"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."
In the same conversation, Raj was asked if the incident affected his marriage with Shilpa. To this, Raj said though everything that happened was horrible, his wife had trust and understanding in him. Raj shared:
"t 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 a laughter when she heard about the case and said it’s not true. If you are living at home together and there is something like porn involved, you would know. We are both self made. She knew it’s 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, work on television. I found that very unfair."
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At the end of the conversation, Raj got emotional while answering how his kids suffered due to his arrest. At that time, while his daughter, Samisha, was too young to understand what was happening, his son, Viaan, was growing up and, thus, was aware of many things. Explaining how Shilpa then told Viaan not to google his father’s name, he revealed that his son is a 'rock solid kid'. Further, mentioning how he had heard a choke in Viaan's voice, Raj revealed:
“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’. The first two-three weeks he was fine. Then on my birthday, September 9, 2021, I heard a choke in his voice, and he broke down. I remember sobbing. Aur jail aisi jagah hai the moment you let your guard down, they make fun and take advantage of you. Chadar leke rona padhta hai. For Viaan, I am his hero. Viaan knew his dad’s company is on his name, I would do no wrong. For him, it’s like a bad dream.”
What do you think about Raj's revelations regarding the things his family faced during his arrest and even after getting bail? Let us know!
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