Businessman and actor Raj Kundra has opened up about one of the most difficult periods of his life, recalling his 63-day stay at Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail in connection with the 2021 pornography case. In a recent interview with ABP News, Kundra revealed how reports claiming his wife, actor Shilpa Shetty, wanted to divorce him pushed him to an emotional breaking point.
Raj Kundra on divorce rumours
Kundra described the conditions inside the jail as extremely difficult, claiming that hundreds of prisoners were kept in a space meant for around 50 people. He also said he survived on Parle-G biscuits and water during his 63 days in custody and lost around 17–18 kg.
Kundra said he was already struggling to cope when reports about his marriage began circulating. Recalling the night he heard that Shilpa was allegedly leaving him, he said, “That night I couldn’t sleep because I felt like giving up my life.”
He added, “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.”
However, Kundra said a phone call from Shilpa changed his state of mind. According to him, she dismissed the reports and reassured him that she was standing by him. “She said, ‘This is rubbish news. I am with you. I trust you. Don’t worry about it,’” he recalled.
Kundra said the conversation gave him the strength to continue dealing with his circumstances. “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,’” he said.
What happened in the 2021 case?
Kundra was arrested on July 19, 2021, after the Mumbai Police Crime Branch investigated an alleged racket involving the production and distribution of pornographic content through mobile applications. The investigation reportedly involved apps including Hotshots and Bollyfame.
Investigators alleged that Kundra’s company, Viaan Industries, was linked to the operation of Hotshots. A supplementary chargesheet was later filed in September 2021, naming Kundra and three others. Kundra denied the allegations and maintained that he was being made a scapegoat.
He was granted bail by a Mumbai magistrate on September 20, 2021. Kundra later channelled his experience into UT69, a 2023 film inspired by his time in custody. In 2026, he continues to speak about the case and its impact on his life, while also appearing on reality television, including The Traitors, where he was eliminated early in the competition. Additionally, Raj Kundra had also been granted bail by a PMLA court in the 150 crore rupee Bitcoin scam case.