Lalit Modi is clearing the air about his relationship with Sushmita Sen. The former IPL chairman has spoken out against the ‘gold digger’ label that was slapped on the actress when their romance made headlines two years ago. In a candid conversation, Modi not only defended Sen but also revealed some surprising details about their dynamic.
She Paid for Everything: Lalit Modi Sets Record Straight
Modi said he was disappointed by the narrative that emerged online after he announced their relationship on social media. He made it clear that Sushmita is a self-made woman who earned her wealth independently. “Sushmita is a beautiful, successful and self-made woman. She has more diamonds than almost anyone I know, and she earned everything herself. She even had diamond stores,” Modi shared.
He went on to reveal that during their time together, Sushmita would never let him pay for anything. “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,” he said, laughing at the role reversal. Modi emphasized that calling her a gold digger was completely wrong. “She would never accept anything from anybody. If anything, Lalit was the diamond digger. She is truly a diamond,” he added.
A Very Special Relationship That Shaped Him
Looking back at their romance, Modi described Sushmita as one of the most important figures in his life. “Sushmita was very special to me. She helped me grow into many of the things I am today and was an extremely important part of my life at that time. It was a very special relationship,” he recalled. While distance eventually became a challenge, the businessman said he continues to hold fond memories and considers her a dear friend.
Modi also praised Sushmita’s role as a mother to her daughters, calling her work as a single parent “remarkable.” He made it clear there’s no bad blood between them. “I have the fondest memories of her and she’s still a very dear friend. I wish her nothing but the best,” he said, highlighting the lasting positive impact the relationship had on him.
The Instagram Post That Broke the Internet
Modi also shared the story behind the viral Instagram post that announced their relationship, which caught everyone off guard. According to him, it was a completely spontaneous move that even Sushmita didn’t see coming. “I did it right in front of her. She didn’t think I would actually post it. We were arguing about something on the plane and she said, ‘You’re not going to post this.’ I laughed and pressed the button,” he revealed.
The reaction was instantaneous. “By the time we landed, all hell had broken loose. But there was nothing wrong with it. She never asked me to take it down, and I never considered doing that,” Modi said. Looking back, he has no regrets about making their relationship public in such a dramatic fashion. “It really did break the internet. For a few days, it seemed like that’s all anyone was talking about. But we had a beautiful story and I don’t regret a single minute of it,” he said.
Modi concluded with a philosophical note, emphasizing that everything happens for a reason. “That Instagram post wasn’t scripted; it just happened. I’m proud of everything I’ve done. If I made mistakes, I learned from them,” he said, rounding off his candid revelations about one of the most talked-about Bollywood relationships in recent times.