Veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu has filed a defamation suit against his former wife Rita Bhattacharya, alleging that her recent statements have caused serious damage to his reputation. The matter is currently before the Bombay High Court, where Sanu has sought ₹50 crore in damages, clarifying that the amount is significantly higher than earlier reports suggesting ₹30 lakh.
Reacting to the legal notice, Rita told Bombay Times that she was taken aback by the scale of the claim. Expressing her disbelief, she said she could not understand how Sanu expected her to pay such a large sum. She also described the situation as deeply upsetting, especially given their shared history and the fact that they have three adult sons together.
Rita and Sanu separated in 1994, seven years after their marriage in 1986, with their divorce being finalised in 2001. According to Rita, the ongoing legal battle has begun to affect their children as well. She stated that she would face the matter in court but urged Sanu to act with compassion and avoid further harassment of the family.
Earlier this week, Sanu’s legal team argued that Rita’s interviews and social media remarks, including allegations of mistreatment during her pregnancy, were false and malicious. The suit also claims that their divorce agreement included a clause preventing both parties from making allegations against each other, which Sanu alleges Rita has violated.
