why does raj kundra cover his face

Raj Kundra, husband of Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty, started covering his face publicly after his 2021 arrest in a high-profile pornography case involving alleged production and distribution of adult content via apps.

He was released on bail after nearly three months but faced intense media scrutiny and what he called a "media trial," which he found more painful than his legal proceedings.

Main Reason: Avoiding Media Scrutiny

In a 2022 Twitter AMA session, Raj directly addressed fans asking about his full-face masks and hoodies.

"I am Not wearing it for public just don’t wish to give media a chance to click my face! I am hurt by the media trial they put me through! Media is not above the law!"

This practice began post-arrest, with paparazzi spotting him hiding behind masks, hoodies, and even his son Viaan during rare outings like restaurant visits or temple trips.

He emphasized it wasn't about the public but preventing paparazzi clicks that fueled negative coverage.

Background Story: The 2021 Arrest Fallout

Raj's life flipped overnight in July 2021 when Mumbai Police arrested him for running "Hotshots" and "Bulli Bai" apps linked to pornographic videos featuring aspiring actresses.

• Spent ~2.5 months in Arthur Road Jail before bail.
• Denied all involvement, claiming "truth will prevail" and he never produced anything pornographic.

• Media frenzy labeled him the "masked man," turning every sighting into headlines.

Shilpa Shetty faced indirect backlash, with trolls blaming her, prompting Raj to clap back online while staying masked IRL.

Public Reactions and Trolls

Social media exploded with speculation:

• Reddit threads (e.g., r/BollyBlindsNGossip) called it a "silent protest" against media lies or mocked it as a quirky style upgrade: "His appearance improves when he wears it."

• Twitter trolls urged "unhide your face and face the truth," to which Raj shot back: "I don’t hide from public, just media access after the trial I endured."

• Some fans defended: "No need for mask, we love you and Shilpa!"

He even trolled back: "Trolls vanishing? Don’t leave me!" and shaded news channels as "entertainment drama factories."

Evolution: Removing the Mask

By October 2023, at his film UT 69 trailer launch (ironically about his jail time), Raj dramatically removed the mask before media.
"I wore it out of pain. Media trial hurt more than legal one. Wanted to avoid being spotted or clicked."

He vowed to keep it on until his movie released, framing it as a personal shield for his family amid the ordeal. No major recent sightings (as of early 2026) show him resuming the habit, suggesting the phase ended with his film's promotion.

Multiple Viewpoints

Perspective| Key Take| Source Vibe
---|---|---
Raj's Side| Protective move against biased media; emotional family safeguard. 15| Defensive, pained.
Media/Paps| Fueled "masked mystery man" stories; did their job per Raj. 6| Sensational.
Trolls/Public| Mockery as cowardice or fashion fail; some empathy post- explanation. 97| Mixed gossip.
Fans| Unnecessary—focus on Shilpa family happiness instead. 1| Supportive.

This saga highlights celebrity privacy battles in India's paparazzi culture, blending scandal, defiance, and eventual unmasking.

TL;DR at Bottom: Raj hid his face to dodge media photos after his painful 2021 porn case arrest and trial-by-press; he ditched the mask by 2023 for his movie promo.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.