Lalit Modi has publicly defended actress Sushmita Sen against accusations that she is a gold digger.

The statements aim to correct a narrative that emerged after the couple announced their romance in 2022 [1]. Modi, a businessman and former IPL chairman, is challenging public perceptions regarding the financial dynamics of the relationship.

Modi addressed the criticism by stating that Sen was wealthy and independent [4]. He said that she often paid for everything herself [4]. This contradicts the online labels suggesting she was with him for financial gain.

"I was like a kept boyfriend, I didn't pay anything," Modi said [3].

He further clarified the arrangement by stating, "She paid for everything" [2]. These comments were made through social media and public interviews in India.

Modi's effort to shield Sen from the tag follows a period of intense public scrutiny since the pair first went public with their relationship [1]. By describing himself as the one being supported, Modi seeks to flip the traditional gender expectation often associated with the gold digger trope.

“"I was like a kept boyfriend, I didn't pay anything."”

This public defense serves as a direct challenge to the gendered stereotypes often applied to high-profile relationships in the Indian entertainment and business spheres. By admitting to a financial dynamic where the woman is the primary provider, Modi is attempting to dismantle the specific 'gold digger' narrative that has targeted Sen since 2022.