Ravi shared a huge statement on his Instagram on Thursday. It read: “While our country faces a greater collective crisis, it pains me to see personal matters litigated in the court of public opinion. We should know better than this. Watching my private life turned into gossip, twisted without truth or compassion, has been deeply traumatic. My silence was not a weakness – it was survival. But when my integrity is questioned by those who don’t know my journey or my scars, I must speak.”
‘Was not allowed to meet my own parents’
Calling himself a survivor of years of physical, mental, emotional and severe financial abuse, Jayam Ravi said, “I was also caged in isolation from ever meeting my own parents through these years, trapped in a reality that became unbearable despite every sincere attempt to heal and save my marriage. I finally found the strength to walk away from a life that had become unlivable. Choosing to walk away was not a decision I made lightly – And so, I write this to you with a heavy heart.”
In another part of his statement, the Tamil actor shared, “What breaks me most is seeing my children used as tools in a public narrative rooted in financial gain and to sway public sympathy, while I’ve been deliberately kept away from them since our separation. Apart from a single court-mandated meeting last Christmas, all our communication has been gradual but a well structured cut off. Bouncers now accompany them almost everywhere to prevent me from ever seeing or approaching my own children, and you guys question my role as a father?”
‘Trapped in massive financial loans’
He added, “There is nothing more heartbreaking for a man who worked tirelessly to support only to feed insecurities purely out of affection, than being reduced to a provider, stripped of my voice, my dignity, my own earnings and finances, shares of my assets, my social media accounts, my career decisions, being trapped in massive financial loans as sureties, my father-son bonding, interacting with my own parents and basic rights with the sole intention to selfishly enrich herself and her parents into luxury while ensuring that not a single penny of my earning was sent to my own parents for more than 5 years — the very people who made me who I am today.”
Jayam Ravi warns estranged wife Aarti
In his statement, he also gave an ultimatum to Aarti. He wrote, “Stop our game now. Go ahead with your attention seeking syndrome which made me driver from Prasad to Apollo on a day I was being extremely happy for myself… and more importantly, don’t dare involve my kids in it ever again. I will be a better father + any and all relationships they need from me to be. I will only see you in court for any/all amicable proceedings.”
‘Keneeshaa is my lifeline’
In the same statement, Ravi Mohan also talked about his relationship with Keneeshaa saying, “I will not ever allow even a whisper of disrespect toward her character on her profession.”
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He said, “With regards to Keneeshaa Francis, who was initially a friend that chose to save a drowning man, very quickly became a lifeline of support when I had nothing but tears, blood, and the courage to walk away from a life that nearly broke me. She stood by me on the night I left my own home barefoot, in a night suit — when I was stripped of my wallet, my vehicles, documents, my belongings and even my basic dignity. Acknowledging the sensitivities of the situation — Keneesha didn’t hesitate. She didn’t flinch. She simply showed up. She is a beautiful companion, and I assure you this — She carries light.”
Jayam Ravi’s long statement also had a paragraph dedicated to his fans, to whom the actor sincerely thanked for standing by him. “I will hold endless gratitude to each one of you.”
What sparked the controversy?
In September last year, Jayam Ravi shared a post announcing his separation from his wife Aarti. Back then, the actor didn’t give a reason for his separation, requesting privacy. Soon after, his wife claimed she was “blindsided” by the announcement. Recently, after Jayam Ravi was spotted attending a wedding with girlfriend Keneesha in Chennai, Aarti took to her Instagram handle accusing the actor of leaving her in financial distress and not sharing responsibilities of his children. Jayam Ravi and Aarti were married for nearly 16 years and are parents to two sons.
