Former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has strongly defended actress Sushmita Sen against the criticism she faced after their relationship became public in 2022.
In a recent interview, Modi dismissed the public perception that Sen was interested in him for financial reasons, calling such claims completely false.
“Sushmita Was Not a Gold Digger”
Modi praised Sen as a successful and independent woman who has built her own wealth and career.
He said:
“Sushmita wasn’t a gold digger. She is a beautiful, successful, and self-made woman. She has more diamonds than almost anyone I know, and she earned everything herself.”
He further claimed that during their relationship, Sen often paid for outings and never depended on anyone financially.
“There wasn’t a time when we went out and I had to pay for anything. She paid for everything. I was like a kept boyfriend.”
Distance Led to the Breakup
Speaking about the end of their relationship, Modi said that distance played a major role.
According to him, Sushmita’s career was based in India while he spent most of his time in London, making it difficult to maintain the relationship.
“Her career was in India, my life was in London. That distance eventually became the biggest challenge.”
Despite the breakup, Modi said he still holds great respect and affection for Sen.
“She Is Still Very Special to Me”
Modi described Sushmita Sen as an extraordinary woman and praised her journey as a single mother.
He said:
“She’s still a very dear friend. I wish her nothing but the best. What she has done as a single mother to her daughters, Renee and Alisah, is remarkable.”
He added that she helped him grow as a person and that their relationship remains one of the most meaningful chapters of his life.
The Viral Relationship Announcement
In July 2022, Lalit Modi surprised social media users by sharing photographs with Sushmita Sen and publicly announcing their relationship.
The post quickly went viral and became one of the most talked-about celebrity stories of the year.
Recalling the moment, Modi revealed that the post was not planned.
“I did it right in front of her. She didn’t think I would actually post it. By the time we landed, all hell had broken loose.”
He said he never regretted making the relationship public.
Sushmita Sen’s Response to the Criticism
After facing intense trolling and being labelled a “gold digger” online, Sushmita Sen responded through a widely shared Instagram post.
She strongly rejected the allegations and emphasized her financial independence.
In her message, she wrote that she has always preferred buying her own diamonds and does not rely on anyone else for her success or lifestyle.
She also thanked her supporters and said she remained confident and unaffected by public judgment.