Kumar Sanu Files Rs 50 Crore Defamation Suit Against Ex-Wife in Bombay High Court

Veteran Bollywood playback singer Kumar Sanu has filed a defamation suit worth ₹50 crore before the Bombay High Court against his former wife, Rita Bhattacharya. He has alleged that her recent interviews and social media statements have seriously harmed his personal and professional reputation.

The case is titled Sanu Bhattacharjee @ Kumar Sanu v. Rita Bhattacharya & Anr. The matter, including an application seeking urgent interim relief, is likely to be heard by Justice Milind Jadhav on December 24.

In the plaint filed through advocate Sana Raees Khan, Kumar Sanu claimed that interviews given by his ex-wife to YouTube channels such as Film Window, Viral Bhayani, and Siddharth Kannan in September 2025 contained false and defamatory allegations about his behaviour during their marriage. According to him, short clips and reels from these interviews went viral and received over 1.5 million views, leading to serious damage to his goodwill and career.

The singer stated that these allegations resulted in a decline in professional inquiries, cancellation of engagements, reduced appearance fees, and loss of endorsement opportunities. He also pointed out that some videos were taken down or made private after legal notices were issued.

Kumar Sanu further alleged that these statements violate the consent terms recorded during their divorce proceedings in 2001, under which both parties had agreed to withdraw allegations and not make claims against each other in the future. He claimed that reviving these issues after more than three decades amounts to breach of contract and contempt of court.

The ₹50 crore claim includes compensation for commercial losses, damage to reputation, mental agony, and punitive damages to prevent similar actions in the future. The suit also refers to an earlier Delhi High Court order that recognised and protected Kumar Sanu’s personality and publicity rights.

Apart from monetary compensation, Kumar Sanu has sought a written apology from his ex-wife, publication of the apology in newspapers, and directions to social media platforms and unknown entities to remove existing defamatory content and prevent further circulation.