Kumar Sanu’s ex wife Rita Bhattacharya reacts to Rs 30 lakh defamation case

A defamation dispute between singer Kumar Sanu and his former wife Rita Bhattacharya has intensified, with Bhattacharya publicly responding to the legal action initiated against her. The case follows a series of interviews in which she spoke about alleged mistreatment during their marriage, claims that later went viral online.

The petition, filed in the Bombay High Court through advocate Sana Raees Khan, seeks damages of Rs 30 lakh and removal of Bhattacharya’s interviews from digital platforms. The matter was heard on December 17, 2025. According to Bhattacharya, however, the notice sent to her mentioned a much higher figure. “The paper he has sent me, he is asking for 50 crores. I don’t know how Sanu is dreaming that I have so much money. It is really sad,” she told ETimes. “I’m shocked. He is filing a case against the mother of his three grown up sons.”

The issue resurfaced after actor Kunickaa Sadanand spoke on Bigg Boss about a past relationship with a married man, widely interpreted as a reference to Sanu. Bhattacharya reacted to the remarks on social media, while her son Jaan Kumar Sanu criticised Sadanand. Questioning why she was singled out, Bhattacharya said, “He is attacking me without attacking any other person. He is filing a case against me, not about the other people who are talking and inciting things.”

She also spoke about years of no communication with the singer. “I never got a chance to talk to him. Neither me nor my children ever got a chance to talk to him because he has always blocked us,” she said, adding that she tried contacting him through his staff. “My son was getting married, and the in laws were asking questions. I requested many times. I have all the messages and recordings on my phone.”

Calling the legal move emotionally exhausting, Bhattacharya said, “I am 63 years old, and again I have to fight in court. The first time he took me to court, I was pregnant with Jaan. Now again, at this age, I have to go through this.” She defended her sons for responding publicly. “My children are not kids. They are grown up men. I don’t think it is their crime that they are answering people.”

Bhattacharya also hinted at a possible counter case. “I will request Sanu with folded hands — just try to be a good human being and be the father of my three children. If you can’t love us, at least don’t disturb us and don’t harass us anymore.” Kumar Sanu and Rita Bhattacharya divorced in 2001. Court records note that both had agreed not to make allegations against each other in the future, which the present petition claims has been violated.