IPL founder Lalit Modi has broken his silence on his relationship with actress and former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen — and the internet is not ready for what he said.
In a recent episode of the Humans of Bombay podcast, Modi opened up about their romance, the ugly “gold digger” trolling that Sushmita faced in 2022, and the real reason they eventually parted ways.
Who Are Lalit Modi and Sushmita Sen?
Lalit Modi (born November 29, 1963, New Delhi) is the founder and former Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL), one of the richest cricket tournaments in the world. He has been based in London for over a decade following a dispute with the BCCI over alleged financial irregularities, which he has consistently denied.
Sushmita Sen (born November 19, 1975, Hyderabad) is a Bollywood actress and the first Indian woman to win the Miss Universe crown in 1994. She is widely known for her roles in films like Main Hoon Na and the acclaimed web series Aarya. She is also a single mother who has adopted two daughters, Renee and Alisah.
What Did Lalit Modi Say on Humans of Bombay?
Speaking on the Humans of Bombay podcast, Modi called Sushmita Sen “truly a diamond” and strongly rejected the gold digger characterisation that followed their 2022 relationship announcement.
His exact words were blunt and direct:
“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. So when somebody says she’s a gold digger, no — Lalit was the diamond digger.”
Modi added that Sushmita “has more diamonds than almost anyone he knows” and that she earned everything herself, even owning diamond stores.
He described their relationship as “very very special” and said she remains “a very very dear friend” to him even today.
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Why Did Lalit Modi and Sushmita Sen Break Up?
Modi revealed that geography was the core reason behind their separation. “Sushmita was very special to me. She made me grow into a lot of things that I am today. But it was just that the distance was too much for us. Her career was in India, and my life was in London,” he said.
There was no public fallout, no controversy — just two busy lives in two different cities.
How Did Their Relationship Start?
In July 2022, Modi posted vacation photos with Sushmita from the Maldives and Sardinia on Instagram, calling her his “better half.” The post broke the internet within hours.
Modi later revealed that Sushmita was sitting right next to him on the plane when he posted it. She didn’t believe he would actually hit publish. “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 said.
He quickly clarified after the post went viral that they were not married — just dating.
The Gold Digger Controversy
After Modi’s post, a section of social media users began trolling Sushmita Sen, calling her a gold digger. She responded with full confidence on Instagram, writing that she digs deeper than gold, has always preferred diamonds, and buys them herself.
Four years later, Modi has now publicly backed her version of events — entirely and without hesitation.
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Where Is Lalit Modi Now?
On Valentine’s Day 2025, Modi announced a new relationship with Rima Bouri, confirming that his romance with Sushmita had ended. He described their bond as a 25-year friendship that had turned into love.
Old Posts Surface Again
Following Modi’s podcast appearance, an old 2013 social media exchange between the two resurfaced online. In it, Modi publicly asked Sushmita to “reply to my SMS,” suggesting the two had a connection long before they went public in 2022.
This article is based on publicly available statements from the Humans of Bombay podcast episode featuring Lalit Modi, published June 2026.
FAQ SECTION
Q: Why did Lalit Modi and Sushmita Sen break up?
Lalit revealed on the Humans of Bombay podcast in June 2026 that distance was the main reason. Sushmita Sen’s career was based in India while Modi’s life was in London, and the long-distance became too difficult to sustain.
Q: Did Lalit Modi call Sushmita Sen a gold digger?
No. Lalit strongly defended Sushmita Sen against the gold digger label. He said she paid for everything when they went out, calling himself the “diamond digger” instead.
Q: When did Lalit Modi and Sushmita Sen start dating?
Their relationship became public in July 2022 when Modi posted vacation photos from the Maldives and Sardinia on Instagram. However, the two had known each other since at least 2013.
Q: Is Lalit Modi still with Sushmita Sen in 2026?
No. Lalit Modi and Sushmita Sen broke up in 2023. On Valentine’s Day 2025, Modi publicly announced a new relationship with Rima Bouri.
Q: Who is Lalit Modi dating now?
As of 2025, Lalit is in a relationship with Rima Bouri, a friend of 25 years whose friendship turned romantic.
Q: What did Sushmita Sen say about the gold digger comments?
In 2022, Sushmita Sen responded on Instagram saying she digs deeper than gold, prefers diamonds, and buys them herself — a widely praised and confident clapback.
Q: Who is Sushmita Sen?
Sushmita Sen is a Bollywood actress and the first Indian woman to win Miss Universe in 1994. She is known for films like Main Hoon Na and the web series Aarya. She is a single mother of two adopted daughters.
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