Lalit Modi opens up about Sushmita Sen says 'She’s Not a Gold Digger; I Am a Diamond Digger'

Lalit Modi opens up about his relationship with Sushmita Sen, praises her as a self-made woman, and rejects 'gold digger' allegations. Says Sushmita Sen is not a 'gold digger' rather 'I am a diamond digger'.

By  Ritika Nath June 2nd 2026 12:27 PM

Lalit Modi and Sushmita Sen have had some intriguing history. The two grabbed headlines and became a talk of the town yet again as recently Lalit Modi has revealed several things and opened up about the relationship with former Miss Universe. In a recent interview, Modi reflected on their relationship, addressed the criticism Sushmita faced when they went public in 2022, and dismissed the long-standing "gold digger" narrative that followed her.

Calling the accusations unfair and baseless, Modi described Sushmita as a successful, self-made woman who built her own fortune and never depended on anyone financially. He also shared how their relationship evolved, why it eventually came to an end, and why he continues to hold immense respect and admiration for her.

‘She’s Not a Gold Digger; I Am a Diamond Digger’

One of the biggest controversies surrounding their relationship was the criticism directed at Sushmita Sen after Modi publicly announced they were together. Many social media users questioned her intentions and labelled her a "gold digger" because of Modi's wealth. Addressing those claims directly, Modi strongly defended the actress and rejected the narrative that their relationship had anything to do with money. "She's not a gold digger; I am a diamond digger," he said, making it clear that the labels attached to Sushmita were both unfair and inaccurate.

According to Modi, Sushmita was already highly successful and financially independent long before they met. He stressed that she never sought financial support from him and was more than capable of taking care of herself.

Sushmita Sen Built Her Success on Her Own

Modi went on to praise Sushmita's achievements, describing her as a remarkable and self-made woman who earned everything through hard work and determination. He pointed out that she has built a successful career and business ventures over the years and enjoys financial security because of her own efforts. According to him, she never accepted anything from others and always preferred to stand on her own feet. Modi even revealed that during their time together, he rarely spent money when they went out. "There wasn't a single time that I went out with Sushmita that I had to pay for anything. She paid for everything. I was like a kept boyfriend," he said. He added that Sushmita's independence was one of the qualities he admired most about her. In his view, she could buy anything she wanted and never needed anyone else's money or support.

Their Relationship Was Never About Wealth

Reiterating his point, Modi said that financial considerations never played any role in their relationship. He described Sushmita as someone who could have chosen any partner she wanted and insisted that their connection was built on genuine feelings rather than material interests. For him, the relationship was about companionship, respect, and shared experiences. He said the assumptions made by outsiders failed to reflect the reality of what they shared. Modi referred to Sushmita as a "true diamond" and said she deserved far more credit than the criticism she received online.

Why Lalit Modi and Sushmita Sen Broke Up

While many speculated about the reasons behind their breakup, Modi clarified that money was never a factor in their separation. Instead, he explained that distance eventually became too difficult to manage. At the time, Sushmita's professional commitments and personal life were rooted in India, while Modi was living in London. With both of them leading busy lives in different countries, maintaining the relationship became increasingly challenging.

"It was a very, very special relationship," Modi said. "It was just that the distances were too much for us." Despite the breakup, he emphasized that he looks back on the relationship fondly and has no regrets about the time they spent together.

Social Media Post That Took Everyone by Surprise

Modi also revisited the moment he publicly revealed their relationship in July 2022—a post that instantly became a major talking point across social media platforms and entertainment news outlets. Recalling the incident, he said the announcement happened while he and Sushmita were travelling together on a flight. According to Modi, they were having a light-hearted argument when Sushmita challenged him, saying he would never actually post the photos and announcement online. "I did it right in front of her," he recalled. "She didn't think I would actually post it." Laughing at the memory, Modi said he pressed the upload button despite her disbelief. By the time their flight landed in London, news of their relationship had spread everywhere.

‘It Broke the Internet’

The reaction to the announcement was immediate and intense. Social media platforms were flooded with discussions, memes, opinions, and debates about the couple. Modi admitted that the post generated an enormous amount of attention and became one of the most discussed topics online for several days. "It really did break the internet," he said. However, despite the public scrutiny and media attention that followed, Modi said he never regretted making the relationship public. He described their time together as a beautiful chapter in his life and said he would not change anything about it.

‘She’s Still a Very Good Friend’

Even though their romantic relationship ended, Modi revealed that he and Sushmita continue to share a friendly relationship. Reflecting on the impact she had on his life, he said she helped him grow personally and contributed significantly to the person he has become today. "Sushmita was very special to me," he said. "She made me grow into a lot of things that I am today." He added that she played an important role in his life during that period and remains someone he deeply respects and admires.

Praise for Her Journey as a Single Mother

Apart from speaking about their relationship, Modi also praised Sushmita for the way she has raised her daughters, Renee and Alisah. He described her journey as a single mother as inspiring and said her dedication to her children deserves recognition. According to him, balancing motherhood with a successful career is one of her most admirable achievements. Ending on a warm note, Modi said he wishes nothing but happiness and success for Sushmita in the years ahead.

"I have fond memories of her," he said. "She's an amazing woman, and what she has done as a single mother to her daughters is remarkable."

Related Post