Raj Kundra
| Raj Kundra | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | 9 September 1975
London, England |
| Other name | Ripu Sudan Kundra |
| Nationality | British, Indian |
| Occupations | Businessman, investor, producer |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouse | Shilpa Shetty (m. 2009) |
| Children | 3 |
Raj Kundra (born Ripu Sudan Kundra; 9 September 1975) is a British-Indian businessman, investor, and entrepreneur. He is known for his business ventures across trading, entertainment, hospitality, and sports, as well as for being married to Indian actress Shilpa Shetty. Kundra has also been a subject of public attention due to multiple legal controversies linked to his business activities.
Early life and background
Raj Kundra was born in London, England, to a Punjabi immigrant family. His father, Bal Krishan Kundra, worked initially as a bus conductor before starting a small business, while his mother, Usha Rani Kundra, worked as a shop assistant. Raised in a middle-class household, Kundra left home at the age of 18 and traveled across Dubai and Nepal, where he began trading pashmina shawls with fashion retailers in the United Kingdom. The venture proved financially successful and marked the beginning of his entrepreneurial career.[1]
Business career
Early ventures
In the early 2000s, Kundra expanded his business interests into precious metals, construction, and energy sectors. In 2007, he founded Essential General Trading LLC in Dubai, which focused on metals, renewable energy, and mining-related projects.[2]
Entertainment and hospitality
Kundra later entered the Indian entertainment and hospitality industries. He invested in film production and hospitality ventures, including the restaurant brand Bastian in Mumbai. He also became associated with gold trading businesses such as Satyug Gold.
In 2012, he co-founded the Super Fight League, India’s first professional mixed martial arts league, alongside actor Sanjay Dutt. He also co-promoted the home shopping channel Best Deal TV with actor Akshay Kumar.
Sports involvement
Raj Kundra gained prominence in Indian sports after investing in the Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals in 2009 through offshore entities. His involvement came under scrutiny during investigations related to the 2013 IPL spot-fixing scandal. In 2015, a Supreme Court-appointed panel imposed a lifetime ban on Kundra from cricket-related activities. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing related to the case.
Legal controversies
Kundra’s career has been marked by several legal challenges:
- In 2021, he was arrested in connection with a case related to the alleged production and distribution of adult content, under provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. He was later released on bail.
- Between 2022 and 2023, the Enforcement Directorate attached assets linked to Kundra in connection with alleged cryptocurrency-related financial irregularities.
- In 2025, Mumbai Police registered a case against Raj Kundra and Shilpa Shetty in relation to an alleged financial fraud linked to their defunct company Best Deal TV Private Limited.
Film and media appearances
In 2023, Kundra appeared as himself in the Hindi film UT 69, which was based on his experiences during incarceration. In 2025, he participated in the Indian edition of the reality television series The Traitors India, where he was eliminated early in the competition.
Awards and recognition
In 2019, Raj Kundra received the Champions of Change Award for his contribution to social initiatives linked to the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Personal life
Raj Kundra was previously married to Kavita Kundra, with whom he has a daughter. In November 2009, he married actress Shilpa Shetty. The couple has two children, including a daughter born via surrogacy in 2020. Kundra has also authored a crime thriller titled How Not to Make Money (2013).