Businessman and actor Raj Kundra recently opened up about his arrest in the 2021 pornography case. In an interview with ABP News, Raj recalled spending 63 days at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail and revealed that he felt suicidal after hearing rumours that his wife, actor Shilpa Shetty, was planning to divorce him.
Raj described the conditions inside Arthur Road Jail as extremely difficult, claiming that hundreds of prisoners were kept in a space meant for around 50 people. He also said that he survived on Parle-G biscuits and water during his 63 days in custody and lost around 17–18 kg. Raj revealed that he was already struggling to cope with life in jail when rumours about Shilpa leaving him made things even more difficult.
He said, “I was managing there somehow. One day, news came through the media - it was a rumour, as I later found out that Shilpa Shetty was leaving Raj Kundra and that we were getting divorced. That night I couldn't sleep because I felt like giving up my life. I felt there was no point in living because, for me, there is nothing more important than my wife and my family. I felt like ending my life.”
Raj recalled how Shilpa became his source of strength and said, “The next day, I spoke to her on the phone. She said, ‘This is rubbish news. I am with you. I trust you. Don’t worry about it.’ After that call, I got so much courage. I thought, ‘Break whatever you want to break. My wife is with me. I can take on the world. I don’t care.’”
Raj became embroiled in a high-profile pornography case in 2021 after the Mumbai Police Crime Branch uncovered an alleged racket involving the production and distribution of pornographic content through mobile applications. The investigation began after police raided a bungalow in Madh Island in February 2021, where they allegedly found women shooting adult films. The probe later led investigators to apps such as Hotshots and Bollyfame.
In September 2021, the Crime Branch filed a 1,467-page supplementary chargesheet naming Raj and three others. Police described him as a key facilitator in the alleged racket and claimed that the videos were monetised through subscriptions. Raj, however, denied the allegations and maintained that he was being made a scapegoat.
Raj was granted bail by a Mumbai magistrate on September 20, 2021. The court, while granting bail, noted that the element of inducement required for the cheating allegation appeared to be missing based on the material before it.
In 2026, Raj has continued to speak publicly about the case and his time in custody. He also made a film inspired by his experience, UT69. He was last seen on the reality show The Traitors, hosted by Karan Johar, where he was eliminated early in the competition.
Riya Sharma is a content producer at Hindustan Times who lives and breathes entertainment. If there’s gossip making noise in Bollywood or a reality show moment breaking the internet, chances are she’s already writing about it. She loves digging out the juiciest stories, spotting viral pegs and turning it into easy-to-read content. A journalism graduate from IP University, Riya began her career as a social media executive, where she learned the art of grabbing attention in a scroll-heavy world. But her love for showbiz soon pulled her into entertainment journalism, because for her, it’s always been entertainment, entertainment and more entertainment. An artist at heart, Riya has a deep passion for acting, music and dance, which shapes how she watches and writes about films and reality shows. She loves sharing her views and reviews, especially when something excites, surprises or completely disappoints her. A hardcore reality show fan, Riya enjoys tracking every twist, task and meltdown, and breaking them down for readers who can’t get enough of high-voltage drama. Movies are equally close to her heart, whether it’s a big theatrical release or a binge-worthy OTT series, she’s always watching, and analysing what’s worth the time. She loves talking to celebrities, asking questions that go beyond the usual. When she’s not working, she’s either glued to a new web series, hunting for underrated thrillers on OTT platforms, or rewatching iconic Bollywood moments.Read More
