Ram Kapoor Faces Backlash Over Inappropriate Remarks Ahead of Mistry Premiere

Controversy Surrounds Ram Kapoor

In the lead-up to the launch of his new web series Mistry, actor Ram Kapoor has found himself in hot water due to allegations of making sexually inappropriate comments during a promotional event. As a result, the streaming service JioCinema has decided to exclude Kapoor from all promotional engagements related to the series.

Reports indicate that during a press conference held at JW Marriott in Juhu on June 19, Kapoor made several inappropriate remarks in front of co-star Mona Singh and senior executives from JioHotstar.

One particular comment that sparked outrage involved Kapoor jokingly stating he felt 'gang-raped' in response to media pressure, a remark made in the presence of a female journalist.

In an interview with ETimes, Kapoor acknowledged his comments and the distress they caused. He stated, 'I admit to everything I’ve been accused of saying. Yes, I am guilty. However, I want people to understand that when I’m in a comfortable environment, I tend to be my usual, carefree self. Those who have worked with me know I never intend to offend.'

He expressed that he was unaware of any discomfort he may have caused, saying, 'Throughout the day, I thought we were all enjoying ourselves. If I had sensed any discomfort, I would have addressed it immediately.'

Kapoor further commented on the remark about a woman's attire, which many found troubling, stating, 'I did mention a girl's dress as a distraction, but I also asked some men in my line of sight to move. I said it openly in front of a room full of media. If I truly thought it was inappropriate, I wouldn’t have said it so publicly.'

Describing this incident as his first significant public controversy, Kapoor expressed hope that people would take the time to hear his perspective. He acknowledged the need for personal growth and sensitivity, stating, 'I now understand that what seems harmless to me can be offensive to others, especially younger individuals. I can’t continue to be my unfiltered self. I need to evolve.'

He concluded by emphasizing the importance of acknowledging discomfort, saying, 'What matters is that someone felt uncomfortable, and that’s not acceptable. Whether I intended harm is irrelevant. I respect the platform's decision to act, and it serves as a wake-up call for me.'

In a final note of accountability, Kapoor committed to personally apologizing to each team member who felt hurt, stating, 'I owe them that much—not just as a colleague, but as a human being and as a father whose son looks up to him.'

Directed by Risab Seth, Mistry is the Hindi adaptation of the acclaimed series Monk. The cast includes Ram Kapoor, Mona Singh, Shikha Talsania, Kshitish Date, and Dipak Dhar. Kapoor portrays Armaan Mistry, a germophobic ex-detective with obsessive-compulsive disorder, while Mona Singh plays a key role as Senior Police Officer Sehmat Siddiqui. The series is set to premiere on June 27 on JioHotstar.