Ram Kapoor REACTS to ouster from Mistry promotions for 'sexually inappropriate' comments: 'My BINDAAS self..'

Actor Ram Kapoor has finally addressed the controversy surrounding his removal from the promotional activities of his upcoming web series Mistry, following backlash over allegedly inappropriate comments made during a media event.

Kapoor, who plays the lead role in the upcoming JioCinema series, was reportedly dropped from the press rounds after team members raised concerns about remarks he made during interviews. The comments were deemed “sexually inappropriate” by some attendees, prompting the production house to distance him from the ongoing promotions. Co-star Mona Singh has since continued promotional duties alone.

In a statement to The Times of India, Kapoor acknowledged the incident, admitting to making the remarks in question. “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. But this is what I have to say in my defence. 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 said.

The actor went on to explain that he was unaware his words had caused discomfort at the time. “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 said.

Detailing what exactly transpired, Kapoor added, “I commented on the dress a girl was wearing, and said it was a distraction. I did say it. But please understand, before that comment, I also told some men who were standing in the way to move because they were in the way of my line of vision (in the direction I was supposed to look and talk). If I felt it was inappropriate, why would I say it openly in a hall full of media people? My character has been questioned for the first time in 25 years, so do acknowledge my justification.”

The actor further admitted that the incident had made him more aware of how his behaviour could be perceived, especially by younger colleagues.

“Now, I am aware of a few things which I wasn’t that day. I cannot be my obnoxious normal self. 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,” Kapoor said.

I commented on the dress a girl was wearing, and said it was a distraction. I did say it. But please understand, before that comment, I also told some men who were standing in the way to move because they were in the way of my line of vision (in the direction I was supposed to look and talk). If I felt it was inappropriate, why would I say it openly in a hall full of media people? My character has been questioned for the first time in 25 years, so do acknowledge my justification

- Ram Kapoor

Addressing the wider implications of the controversy, Kapoor added, “Not only my fans, I have my son who looks up to me and learns from me. I want to tell everyone that please don’t doubt me. It doesn’t matter what I think or what the media thinks is right or wrong, but the OTT platform thought that certain things were wrong, and that is justified from their point of view. I do not blame them for taking this stance, because yes, it will teach me a lesson. I respect their decision, and I am going to find a way to apologise to each of those team members who were offended that day on a personal level.”

Mistry, an Indian adaptation of the American series Monk, is set to premiere on JioCinema on June 27. Despite the controversy, Kapoor’s performance as the obsessive-compulsive detective Armaan Mistry remains central to the show. However, the incident has sparked broader discussions within the industry about professionalism, generational shifts in workplace culture, and the importance of sensitivity during public interactions.