Veteran actor Ram Kapoor has admitted to making sexually inappropriate and offensive remarks during the promotional event of his upcoming web series, Mistry, and accepted full responsibility. In a statement to ETimes, the star described himself as “guilty as charged” and expressed remorse, while also promising to learn from the experience.
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What Unfolded at the ‘Mistry’ Press Junket
The incident occurred during a media interaction held on June 19 at the JW Marriott Hotel, Juhu, in Mumbai. Sources—including Mid-Day and NDTV—report that Kapoor made several unsettling comments. These included joking about kissing a male marketing executive, asking whether he should adopt “doggy or missionary” positions for interviews, and comparing his fatigue to having been “gang-raped by elephants.” He also reportedly made remarks about crew members’ attire, stating a female team member’s outfit was “distracting,” and suggested that his mother “should have gone to sleep” instead of conceiving him.
The day’s atmosphere, initially jovial, soon shifted. Following internal reports, Jio Hotstar removed Kapoor from all subsequent promotional activities for the show.
Kapoor Breaks His Silence
In an interview with ETimes (covered by India Today), Kapoor responded candidly:“I’ve been accused of saying—I have said it. So yes, I am guilty as charged.”
He explained that when he’s at ease, he becomes his “bindass (carefree) self,” and claimed:“Everyone who’s worked with me knows that I never intend to offend.”
Kapoor defended his comments by asserting he did not perceive any offense on the day, stating:“We were laughing and joking. If I had gotten the whiff that they were offended, I would have dealt with it right away.”
He also offered a unique justification: had he believed the remarks were inappropriate, he wouldn’t have made them in front of a room full of media. He pointed out that his “character has been questioned for the first time in 25 years” and urged the industry to acknowledge this detail.
Promises and Regret
Kapoor expressed genuine regret, particularly for upsetting younger crew members. He said:“The comments I made came from a harmless space, but the bottom line is that those team members, who are half my age, did get offended, and that’s not acceptable.” He acknowledged this as a learning moment and praised Jio Hotstar’s decision to remove him from the promotion, stating he respected their stance and saw it as a lesson learned.Finally, Kapoor committed to personally apologizing:“I am going to find a way to apologise to each of those team members who were offended that day on a personal level.”
Industry & Public Response
The response from both the industry and fans has been largely critical. The Statesman noted that many viewers were unsatisfied with Kapoor’s excuse of being “bindass” in moments of comfort, dismissing it as insufficient accountability. They quoted social media backlash, raising questions such as, Since when did comfort become a license for misogyny?” Meanwhile, Indian Express consulted workplace experts who emphasized that intent does not override impact. Organisational psychologist Gurleen Baruah stated, Intent does not cancel impact… Unchecked comments or actions, however casual, can create an atmosphere where others feel silenced, diminished, or on guard.” Lawyer Shreya Sharma also reminded readers that India’s POSH Act applies beyond the office environment, holding public events and media promotions equally accountable.
Acceptable boundaries in public interactions
Ram Kapoor’s misstep at the Mistry press event has opened a broader discourse on acceptable boundaries in public interactions. While his apology and promise to evolve are constructive, many argue real change lies in sustained accountability, educational efforts, and reformed behaviour—both personal and institutional. As the series prepares for release, Kapoor’s absence from promotional campaigns speaks louder than words. Whether the controversy overshadows the show depends on how effectively he and the industry respond beyond mere words.
What’s Next for ‘Mistry’?
Despite the controversy, Mistry—a Hindi adaptation of the Emmy-winning detective show Monk, starring Kapoor and Mona Singh—is set for release on Jio Hotstar on June 27. While Kapoor’s involvement in screen promotions has ended, Singh continues to spearhead marketing efforts independently.
By – Sonali