Why does Raj Kundra wear a mask?
RAJ Kundra is married to iconic Bollywood actress and former Celebrity Big Brother star Shilpa Shetty.
The businessman was born and raised in London but later made his $550million fortune in Dubai.
Who is Raj Kundra?
Raj Kundra was born to Bal Krishan Kundra and Usha Rani Kundra.
Bal was a middle-class businessman, and Usha worked as a shop assistant when Raj was a youngster.
At the age of 18, he left home and moved to Dubai, and then Nepal, where he started his business selling pashmina shawls.
The successful entrepreneur steadily rose up the ranks within the industry and by 2007 had set up Essential General Trading LLC.
This company made its wealth by dealing in precious metals, mining, construction, and renewable energy projects.
Raj also branched out and tried his hand at financing and Bollywood film production.
The dad-of-three has been connected to several other corporations, including Essential Sports and Media, Iconic Investments, and a private fund trading in equity markets.
He has accumulated wealth through his interest in a Mumbai restaurant chain, Bastian Hospitality.
Raj became Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Viaan Industries in 2014, as well as starting Super Fight League - pioneering India's first professional mixed martial arts fight in the league.
The 45-year-old has appeared on TV, becoming one of the promoters of Best Deal TV, a home shopping channel in India.
It's also been reported he earns money as CEO of JL Stream PVT Ltd, which covers social media live-streaming platforms.
With all of these business projects, Raj had an estimated net worth of $550million, according to .
However, it is now estimated to be between $350 to $400million, following his arrest in 2021.
He married one of the most well-known and loved Bollywood stars, Shilpa Shetty.
Shetty shot to fame in Britain during the 2007 series of Celebrity Big Brother and eventually won the series.
The high-profile pair tied the knot in 2009 and share two kids: a son named Viaan Raj Kundra and a daughter named Samisha Shetty Kundra.
The Mumbai police commissioner said in a statement: "We've arrested Raj Kundra in this case... as he appears to be the key conspirator of this. We have sufficient evidence regarding this."
Their probe was launched after a woman went to the cops and reported that she had been forced into making a porn film under the guise of landing an acting role afterward, according to the Press Trust of India.
At a remand hearing in 2021, the investigating officer alleged that "all the accused used to lure struggling models and actresses," reported .
Kundra, who lives in Mumbai, faced charges of cheating and "obscene and indecent advertisements and displays".
Publishing or transmitting "obscene" material including porn is illegal in India and punishable by up to seven years in jail.
He was released on bail in September 2021, and at the time, he maintained that the case against him was a result of a "witch hunt."
The entrepreneur also made a blatant denial of his alleged crimes.
“After much contemplation, considering there are many misleading and irresponsible statements and articles floating around and my silence has been misconstrued for weakness," he wrote in a statement.
";I would like to start by stating that I have NEVER been involved in the production and distribution of ‘pornography’ EVER in my life.”
He also lambasted the media for already painting him as "guilty."
“The trolling, negativity and toxic public perception has been very debilitating," he added.
As of this writing, the case has not been wrapped, but Kundra said that he's not afraid of what's ahead.
"The matter is sub judice so I can not elucidate, but I am ready to face trial and have full faith in the judiciary, where the truth will prevail,” he said.
In 2023, Kundra made a big social media comeback.
He previously deleted his Instagram account following the X-rated films scandal.
His first post on the platform since 2021 is a video with the caption: "Jai Shri Ganesh. He's back. Well wishers your love makes me stronger, haters your hate makes me unstoppable. Karma is efficient I am just being patient. Ganpati Bappa Morya. Happy Ganesh Chaturthi."
Supportive wife Shipla commented: "Stay blessed and protected always."
His daughter also penned: "Love you jiju."
The short clip showed Raj and Shipla together welcoming home Bappa, ahead of Ganeshotsav - a Hindu festival in celebration of the birth of Hindu god Ganesha.
Why does Raj Kundra wear a mask?
Raj is recognized for concealing his face with a mask when he's out in public.
In a post on X/Twitter, he wrote an explanation as to why: "I don’t wear my mask for friends and fans. I wear it for media, that’s all they will get of me from now."
He responded to another user who asked about his fashion choice and explained: "I am not wearing it for public, just don’t wish to give media a chance to click my face.
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"I am hurt by the media trial they put me through. Media is not above the law."
He also made light of the ordeal and joked that his wardrobe is overflowing with masks now.