Ram Kapoor, who headlines the upcoming JioHotstar series ‘Mistry’, has been removed from all promotional activities after reportedly making a series of sexually inappropriate remarks during a press interaction in Mumbai. The incident, which occurred during a two-day media junket on June 19 and 20, allegedly left several attendees, including journalists and platform representatives, uncomfortable, prompting swift action from the streaming platform’s top brass.
‘Mistry’, an Indian adaptation of the American comedy-drama ‘Monk’, features Kapoor in the lead as detective Armaan Mistry, with Mona Singh playing a key role. While the duo was initially scheduled to appear together in interviews, Kapoor abruptly withdrew from the Day 2 media engagements, with JioHotstar attributing his absence to a “personal emergency.” However, emerging reports suggest otherwise.
What Ram Kapoor said during media interactions for Mistry
According to various reports, Kapoor’s conduct during the June 19 interactions raised eyebrows. In multiple instances, the actor allegedly interrupted interviews, answered questions aimed at his co-star, and made off-colour jokes that many present found offensive.
According to a Mid-Day report, one of the more troubling moments came during a conversation while a journalist was preparing her mic. Kapoor, referring to the long line-up of interviews, reportedly said, “I feel like I’ve been gang-raped by elephants.” The journalist objected, after which Kapoor clarified it was a joke and not aimed at anyone in particular.
But the comments didn’t stop there. Later the same day, he allegedly joked to a marketing team member while another reporter was setting up, “Which position should I take now? Doggy or missionary?”
One JioHotstar staffer, recalling the string of remarks, told Mid-Day, “The tone and content of his ‘jokes’ were unprofessional. He had back-to-back interviews that day. Referring to the work pressure at one point, he said he feels ‘gang-raped’. This remark was made while one journalist was setting up her mic.”
Another executive recounted how Kapoor made comments about a colleague’s outfit, saying, “The clothes are distracting.” A team member added, “It didn’t hit immediately, but when it did later that evening, we started recounting the number of offensive things he said. He told one of our male colleagues that his mother should have faked a headache and he shouldn’t have been born. He made references to sex positions.”
Jio Hotstar takes action, excludes Ram Kapoor from promotions
According to reports, once the platform’s senior management and HR team were alerted, they swiftly intervened. On June 20, Kapoor was dropped from all promotional events moving forward.
“After a complaint was formally raised and the incidents corroborated by eyewitnesses, the leadership moved promptly. The platform wants to distance itself from any behaviour that normalises workplace misconduct,” an insider told Mid-Day.
JioHotstar has since continued the promotional campaign for ‘Mistry’ with Mona Singh as the sole representative.
Meanwhile, Banijay Entertainment, the production house behind the series, was reportedly coordinating interviews for both lead actors as late as June 23. However, communications abruptly ceased the following day, suggesting a formal decision had been taken to exclude Kapoor from the marketing rollout.
‘Mistry’, set to premiere on June 27, follows the story of a brilliant but neurotic detective who uses his obsessive tendencies to solve crimes.
