Ram Kapoor, the well-known actor, has recently found himself embroiled in a controversy following allegations of making sexually inappropriate remarks during the promotional activities for his upcoming JioHotstar series, "Mistry." The actor has since broken his silence, addressing the accusations and offering his perspective on the matter.
Reports indicate that the incident occurred on June 19th at a Mumbai hotel during media promotions for "Mistry". Eyewitness accounts suggest that Kapoor's repeated innuendos and comments caused discomfort among members of the JioHotstar team, publicists, and the show's marketing team. Specific allegations include Kapoor making comments about kissing a male marketing executive, joking that his mother should have "gone to sleep" instead of conceiving him, and referencing s*x positions during a conversation with a journalist. Furthermore, he reportedly made a troubling remark about work pressure, stating he felt "physically assaulted" while a journalist was setting up her microphone. Additional reports claim he made inappropriate comments about outfits of female staff members.
Following the incident, Kapoor was reportedly removed from further promotional activities for "Mistry," with his co-star, Mona Singh, continuing with solo interviews. The streaming platform, JioHotstar, issued a statement emphasizing its commitment to prioritizing dignity and safety in the workplace. They stated that after a formal complaint was raised and the incidents were corroborated by eyewitnesses, the leadership took prompt action to distance the platform from any behavior that normalizes workplace misconduct.
In response to the allegations, Ram Kapoor has admitted to making the remarks. In a statement given to ETimes, he said, "Let me start by saying that everything I've been accused of saying, I have said it. So, the fact is that I am guilty as charged." However, he also attempted to provide context, explaining, "But this is what I have to say in my defense. Whenever I'm with people I am comfortable with, I tend to become my bindass self. Everyone who knows me and who has worked with me knows that is how I am and that I don't mean to be offensive."
Kapoor further claimed that he was unaware that his remarks might have made others uncomfortable. "I didn't feel that even once throughout the day. We were laughing and joking. If I had gotten the whiff that they were offended, I would have dealt with it right away," he stated. He also questioned why he would make such comments openly in a room full of media if he felt they were inappropriate. He expressed that his character has been questioned for the first time in his 25-year career and asked for his justification to be acknowledged.
Despite his defense, Kapoor acknowledged the need to be more mindful in the future. He stated that he is now aware of things he wasn't aware of that day and that he cannot be his "obnoxious normal self." He recognized that the team members, many of whom are much younger than him, were offended, and that this is not acceptable. Kapoor expressed his intention to apologize personally to each of the team members who were offended.
The controversy surrounding Ram Kapoor's remarks raises important questions about workplace conduct, the impact of words, and the evolving standards of acceptable behavior. While Kapoor has admitted to making the comments and expressed regret, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
