Nearly four years after photographs of him and actress Sushmita Sen took social media by storm, businessman and former IPL chairman Lalit Modi has spoken publicly about their relationship and the reasons behind their eventual separation.
In a recent interview with Humans of Bombay, Modi confirmed that he and Sushmita were in a serious relationship and shared that geographical distance played a major role in bringing it to an end. He stressed that there was no animosity or major disagreement between them and that they continue to share mutual respect and friendship.
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Reflecting on their time together, Modi described Sushmita as one of the most important people in his life. He credited her with influencing him positively and helping him grow as a person during a significant phase of his life.
“Sushmita was very special to me. She made me grow into a lot of things that I am today and was extremely special. She was very much part of my life at that time,” Modi said.
According to him, maintaining a long-distance relationship became increasingly difficult as their professional and personal commitments kept them in different countries. While Sushmita’s career and family life remained centred in India, Modi continued to live in London.
He said that despite the separation, he retains only fond memories of their relationship and continues to regard the former Miss Universe as a close friend. Modi also praised Sushmita’s achievements as a single mother, highlighting the way she has raised her daughters, Renee and Alisah.
Calling her an “amazing lady,” Modi said he deeply admires her journey and the values she has demonstrated throughout her life. He also extended his best wishes to her and acknowledged the role played by her parents in shaping her character.
The relationship first became public in July 2022 when Modi shared a series of holiday photographs featuring Sushmita. The pictures quickly went viral and triggered widespread speculation online. Many social media users assumed the couple had become engaged after Modi referred to Sushmita as his “better half,” although both later clarified the situation.
During the interview, Modi also revealed details about the social media post that generated massive attention. He recalled informing Sushmita that he intended to upload the pictures while they were travelling together. According to him, she did not believe he would actually go ahead with it.
Modi said he posted the images while they were on a flight and by the time they landed, news of their relationship had spread everywhere. Despite the frenzy that followed, he said Sushmita never objected to the post or asked him to remove it.
His comments offer a rare insight into a relationship that fascinated fans and the media alike. While their romance eventually came to an end, Modi’s remarks suggest that mutual admiration and friendship continue to define their bond.
