Raj Kundra says ‘I felt like ending my life’ after divorce rumours with Shilpa Shetty while in jail

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 Kundra recalls dealing with divorce rumours during his time in jail. He 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.’” About Raj Kundra's case, he 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 led investigators to apps such as Hotshots and Bollyfame. Raj was arrested on July 19, 2021, after police alleged he was involved in the production and distribution of the content. Investigators claimed his company, Viaan Industries, helped operate the Hotshots app, and evidence, including WhatsApp conversations, emails, and electronic devices, linked him to its operations. 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 the videos were monetised through subscriptions. Raj denied the allegations and maintained he was being made a scapegoat. He was granted bail by a Mumbai magistrate on September 20, 2021. In 2026, Raj has continued to speak publicly about the case and his time in custody, releasing 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.