Four years after their relationship grabbed national attention, Lalit Modi has strongly defended Sushmita Sen against the “gold digger” allegations that surfaced when they made their relationship public.
The former IPL chairman, in a recent interview with Humans of Bombay, dismissed the criticism directed at Sen and said the claims were far from the truth. Modi stated that Sen has always been financially independent and has achieved everything in her life through her own efforts. He said she is a self-made woman who built her career and lifestyle on her own, including her collection of diamonds and other luxuries.
Modi also shared details about their relationship, saying there was never a time when Sen relied on him financially. On the contrary, he joked that their equation was often the other way around.
“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,” Modi said. He said Sen was never comfortable accepting gifts or financial assistance from others, making the “gold digger” tag completely misplaced. Modi even joked that if anyone could be called a “diamond digger” in the relationship, it would be him, while referring to Sen herself as a true “diamond.”
Reflecting on their relationship, Modi described it as an important phase in his life and credited Sen with influencing his personal growth. He said she played a major role in shaping him during that period and remained one of the most significant people in his life.
Although the relationship eventually ended, Modi said he continues to have immense respect and affection for the former Miss Universe. He described their time together as a wonderful experience and said he remembers it fondly.
Modi also praised Sen’s role as a single mother and appreciated the manner in which she has raised her daughters, Renee and Alisah. Calling her an exceptional woman, he said her accomplishments and commitment as a parent deserve recognition.
The businessman also spoke about the moment he publicly announced their relationship in July 2022, which quickly became one of the biggest celebrity stories of the year. According to Modi, the announcement was not pre-planned. He revealed that he uploaded the photographs while seated beside Sen on a flight. The decision, he said, stemmed from a playful exchange between the two.
Remembering the incident, Modi said Sen doubted that he would actually post the pictures online. He then uploaded them and, by the time they landed in London, the internet was flooded with reactions. The photographs triggered extensive media coverage, online discussions and public debate. However, Modi said neither he nor Sen saw any issue with sharing their relationship publicly. He added that Sen never requested him to delete the post, and he himself never thought of taking it down.
Modi said he does not regret making the relationship public. Despite the intense attention that followed, he believes their story was genuine and remains grateful for the memories they shared. The curiosity surrounding the relationship was reflected in Google’s Year in Search 2022 rankings, where Lalit Modi was the fourth most-searched person in India, while Sushmita Sen ranked fifth. Sen had also responded to the controversy in 2022 through an Instagram post. Addressing the criticism, she remarked that she prefers diamonds and purchases them herself, a comment that soon went viral.
Later, in a 2023 interview with Mid-Day, Sen described her relationship with Modi as “just another phase” in her life.
Modi’s recent remarks have once again revived conversations about one of the most widely discussed celebrity relationships in recent years. By rejecting the “gold digger” narrative and highlighting Sen’s independence and achievements, he has presented his perspective on a relationship that attracted enormous public attention. Years after their separation, both appear to look back on that chapter with respect and appreciation.
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