Preeti Simoes Opens Up On Being Known As Kapil Sharma’s Ex-Girlfriend For Years: “One Bad Headline Can Tarnish A Woman Forever” | | FPJ Exclusive

Producer Preeti Simoes, who was once in a long-term relationship with comedian Kapil Sharma, was also the creative force behind Comedy Nights with Kapil and The Kapil Sharma Show. Following their much-publicised fallout, she stepped away from the show and, for years, found herself being identified in headlines by her past relationship rather than her work.

In an exclusive conversation with The Free Press Journal, Preeti reflected on how women are often reduced to labels attached to famous men, the pressure of constantly protecting their reputation, and why she believes sections of the media continue to rely on such narratives for clickbait.

Speaking about being identified by her former relationship instead of her work, Preeti said, “For the longest time, I was somebody’s girlfriend. Then, after we broke up and moved on with our separate lives, I became somebody’s ex-girlfriend in every headline. It had nothing to do with what I do. It was always ‘so-and-so’s ex-girlfriend’ or ‘so-and-so’s girlfriend.’ I don’t think the audience is really interested in that. I think it’s a section of the media that believes people will click only when you’re connected to a famous name.”

She further shared how such labels can be frustrating because they rarely reflect the reality between two people. “It’s very frustrating because nobody really knows what’s happening between two people. They could be very happy being friends, or they could simply be cordial with each other in a professional space. But the labels of ‘girlfriend’ and ‘ex-girlfriend’ continue forever. And if it’s a woman, the assumption is always, ‘She must have done something.’”

Preeti also spoke about the challenges women face in professional and public spaces, saying they often have to protect both their careers and their personal reputation. “Sometimes you’re walked over because of your gender. You may not bring your gender into a show, into a conversation, or even into a legal situation, but the other side certainly does. Men often assume that because you’re a woman, you’re weaker or easier to attack because you’re not just protecting your career, you’re also protecting your character. Men don’t have to protect their character in the same way. There may be headlines about them one day, and the next day they’re forgotten or even celebrated. But for women, you’re protecting your work and your character simultaneously. One bad photograph or one quote taken out of context can tarnish your character forever, and you’ll spend the rest of your life trying to defend yourself.”

Explaining why she has often chosen silence over reacting to nasty media reports, she added, "Maybe that’s why there have been times when I haven’t gone out or lashed out at people. I knew that any reaction from my side could be interpreted in a way that would leave me spending the rest of my life explaining that this is not who I am. And why should anyone have to keep proving themselves? I do believe the fault lies with a section of the media that uses these labels as headline bait. Calling someone somebody’s girlfriend or ex-girlfriend is easy clickbait. But I also think some responsibility lies with women in the way they project themselves. If this has to change, the change has to come from both sides. Otherwise, it never will.”