Nearly four years after their relationship became one of the most talked-about celebrity stories on social media, former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has come forward in support of actor and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, strongly rejecting the “gold digger” label that was attached to her following the public revelation of their romance.

Lalit Modi DEFENDS Sushmita Sen against “gold digger” label, calls himself “kept boyfriend: “She paid for everything”

In July 2022, Modi surprised social media users by sharing a series of photographs from his vacations with Sushmita Sen in the Maldives and Sardinia. While Modi initially referred to Sen as his “better half,” he later clarified that the two were dating and had not married.

The announcement generated intense online attention, with some sections of social media unfairly targeting Sen and questioning her motives for being in the relationship. Now, speaking to Humans of Bombay, Modi has publicly backed Sen and praised her accomplishments, wealth and self-made success.

Just back in london after a whirling global tour #maldives # sardinia with the families – not to mention my #betterhalf @sushmitasen47 – a new beginning a new life finally. Over the moon. 🥰😘😍😍🥰💕💞💖💘💓 pic.twitter.com/Vvks5afTfz

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) July 14, 2022

“Sushmita is very beautiful, a very well-to-do lady. She has more diamonds than anybody I have known on this planet. She’s a very wealthy lady. She has done it on her own. There was a time when I went out with her and didn’t have to pay for anything. She paid for everything. I was like a kept boyfriend. She’s a remarkable, self-made lady,” Modi said.

He went on to humorously reverse the narrative that surrounded their relationship. “If we can say, Sushmita was not a gold digger, Lalit was a diamond digger. And she was the diamond,” he added. Modi further stressed that Sen was never someone who depended on others financially. “She would never accept anything from anybody. So when people called her a gold digger, that was completely wrong,” he said.

Just for clarity. Not married – just dating each other. That too it will happen one day. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/Rx6ze6lrhE

— Lalit Kumar Modi (@LalitKModi) July 14, 2022

The businessman also reflected on the social media post that first revealed their relationship to the world. According to him, the decision was spontaneous and even surprised Sen herself. “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,” Modi recalled.

Sharing what happened next, he said, “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.”

Looking back at the episode, Modi said he has no regrets about making the relationship public. “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.

His comments come after Sen’s own response to the controversy, in which she addressed critics through an Instagram post. Refuting the accusations, the actor wrote, “I dig deeper than gold… and I’ve always (famously) preferred diamonds!! And yes I still buy them myself!!!”

She also took aim at those passing judgment on her personal life, stating, “The so-called intellectuals with their idiosyncrasies… the ignorant with their cheap and at times funny gossip. The friends I never had and the acquaintances I’ve never met… all sharing their grand opinions and deep knowledge of my life and character… monetising the ‘gold digger’ all the way!!! Ah these geniuses!!!”

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