Kiki Darling, whose real name is Hari Kishen Balakrishnan, released an apology video on Thursday, September 10, following days of intense public scrutiny over his casting in the upcoming Singapore film.
The controversy erupted after details of his past conviction resurfaced online in a viral video posted by content creator S Subhraaj. Hari subsequently resigned from his role in Ah Boys To Firefighters, with the production team confirming that his previously filmed scenes would be removed and his role recast.
“I Take Full Responsibility”: Kiki Darling Addresses the Victim
In the more than three-minute apology video, Hari directly addressed his past and expressed regret over the harm caused by his actions.
“I take full responsibility,” he said, adding that the pain caused to the victim was something he could never undo.
Hari also apologised for not being more transparent with his wider audience after becoming a public figure through his comedy content.
He acknowledged that some followers felt “sad, betrayed, and angry” following the resurfacing of his conviction and said he understood why people had reacted strongly.
“I became someone in the public eye, and I realised that I needed to take more responsibility for my actions, be it past, present, or future,” he said.
What Was Kiki Darling Convicted Of?
The controversy surrounding Kiki Darling’s casting stems from a 2021 court case previously reported by CNA.
Hari, who was 20 at the time of sentencing, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual assault by penetration and one count of making an obscene film. Another molestation charge was taken into consideration during sentencing.
Court proceedings reported at the time stated that the victim, a 23-year-old male friend, had been drinking and was almost unconscious when the offence occurred in November 2020. Hari also recorded video clips of the sexual acts, which were later deleted but recovered during police forensic investigations.
He was sentenced to at least six months of reformative training, a rehabilitation programme for young offenders who commit relatively serious crimes.
Kiki Says He Underwent Counselling and Rehabilitation
In his latest video, Hari spoke about his life following the conviction and reformative training.
He said he attended rehabilitation programmes and underwent regular counselling with a psychologist because of the nature of his offence.
According to Hari, he later returned to education, completed his O Levels and enrolled at Republic Polytechnic to study culinary arts. He also said he began volunteering with migrant workers and other underprivileged communities before eventually building an online following through comedy content under the name Kiki Darling.
Hari said he initially believed he did not need to disclose his past to his wider audience. However, he admitted that he had been open about his history with some people who supported him and gave him professional opportunities.
He said failing to extend that same openness to his wider audience was another mistake for which he was sorry.
Why Did Kiki Darling Leave Ah Boys To Firefighters?
Kiki Darling had been announced on August 31 as one of four new leading men in director Jack Neo’s upcoming Ah Boys To Firefighters.
He was cast as Ramesh Menon, one of four national servicemen assigned to the same fire station.
The casting announcement came after an open audition in June that reportedly attracted more than 1,000 hopefuls.
However, after information about Hari’s past conviction circulated online, the production team said it was unaware of his previous conviction before the matter surfaced publicly.
A spokesperson for the production said the team was “very surprised” and confirmed that Hari ultimately decided to resign following discussions.
The production cited potential reputational risks associated with retaining him in a major role.
J Team Productions is now looking for another actor to take over the role, while scenes already filmed with Hari are set to be removed. Reshoots and editing are also planned, although the team said the changes should not significantly affect the film’s planned release during Chinese New Year in 2027.
Singapore Reacts: Can Someone Change After Serving Their Sentence?
Kiki Darling’s apology has triggered a deeply divided reaction online.
According to CNA Lifestyle, some commenters argued that a person who has served their sentence and undergone rehabilitation should be allowed the opportunity to change and move forward.
Others strongly disagreed, arguing that the seriousness of sexual assault and its lasting impact on victims should remain central to the public conversation.
The contrasting reactions have turned the Kiki Darling controversy into a wider debate about accountability, rehabilitation, forgiveness and whether public figures should disclose serious past convictions to their audiences and professional partners.
A Career Setback — and a Much Bigger Public Debate
Hari’s removal from Ah Boys To Firefighters has become more than a casting controversy.
It has raised difficult questions about what rehabilitation means after a criminal sentence has been served, how much transparency public figures owe their audiences, and whether professional opportunities should be judged separately from an individual’s past criminal conduct.
For now, Hari has publicly accepted responsibility for his actions and apologised for the harm caused to the victim as well as for his lack of transparency with his wider audience.
But as Singapore continues to debate his apology, one question remains at the centre of the controversy:
Can taking responsibility for the past be enough to earn a second chance in the public eye — or are some actions too serious for audiences to separate from a public figure’s future?
What Happens Next?
With Kiki Darling out of Ah Boys To Firefighters, attention will now turn to who replaces him and whether the controversy affects public interest in the latest chapter of Jack Neo’s popular Ah Boys franchise.
The production is moving ahead with recasting, reshoots and editing, while maintaining its target for a Chinese New Year 2027 release.
Meanwhile, Kiki Darling’s apology has ensured that the conversation is unlikely to end with his departure from the film.
His career may have changed overnight — but the debate over accountability, rehabilitation and second chances is only just beginning.
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