'Sushmita Sen was very special': Ex-IPL Chief Lalit Modi opens up about his relationship with the actress, responds to 'gold-digger' allegations against her

Years after their relationship made headlines across the country, businessman and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has opened up about his time with actor Sushmita Sen, describing her as a deeply important part of his life and defending her against the criticism she faced when their romance became public. Speaking in a recent podcast interview with Humans of Bombay, Modi reflected on his relationship with the former Miss Universe and said he continues to hold immense respect and affection for her.

Lalit Modi on his relationship with Sushmita Sen

Looking back on their time together, Modi said the relationship remains one of his fondest memories.

"No, Sushmita was very special to me. She made me grow into a lot of things that I am today, and she was extremely special. She was very much part of my life at that time. It was just that the distances were too much for us."



He further added, "It was a very special relationship and I have the fondest memories with her. She's still a very dear friend of mine."

Lalit Modi also praised Sushmita for raising her daughters as a single parent and said he admires the life she has built for herself.

“She, as a single mother, has done a tremendous job in her life. I sit in amazement and look at her, how she grows. I just wish her all the best.”

Responds to ‘gold-digger’ claims

One of the biggest controversies surrounding their relationship was the criticism aimed at Sen after Modi shared pictures of them together in 2022. Many social media users labelled the actor a “gold digger,” a claim she later rejected publicly.

During the podcast, Modi strongly pushed back against those accusations and insisted Sen was financially independent and successful long before they met.

“Sushmita, please understand, is a very beautiful and a very well-to-do lady. Okay, I don't know anybody knows this if she has told this or not. She has more diamonds than anybody I know on the planet. And she earned it herself. And she had diamond stores.”

He went on to make an even stronger point about their relationship. “So, she's a very wealthy lady. She has done it all on her own. Okay, there wasn't a time I went out with Sushmita that I had to pay for anything. She paid for everything. I was like a kept boyfriend.”

Calling her a self-made woman, Modi added, "Sushmita is a woman who is very proud, and I say this very happily. She is a remarkable and self-made lady". According to Modi, money was never a factor in their relationship.

The post that ‘broke the internet’

The relationship became public in July 2022 when Modi shared pictures with Sen from their travels and referred to her as his “better half.” The announcement immediately triggered a frenzy online.

Recalling that moment, Modi revealed that the social media post was not planned. “I said I did it right there in front of her. She didn't think I would do it.”

He explained that the post was uploaded while they were travelling by plane and that the reaction exploded almost instantly. “By the time we landed, it had broken loose.”

Despite the attention that followed, Modi said neither of them regretted the decision. “We had a beautiful story. It's okay. I don't regret one minute.”

He once again described Sen as “a beautiful lady” and said he wishes only the best for her.

Sushmita Sen’s response to trolling

After the relationship became public, Sen addressed the criticism through an Instagram post. Responding to those calling her a “gold digger,” she wrote that she preferred diamonds and bought them herself.

“I dig deeper than Gold…and I've always (famously) preferred Diamonds!! And yes I still buy them myself!!!”

The actor also made it clear that she did not seek validation from public opinion and remained comfortable with her choices.