While Kumar Sanu is widely celebrated for his iconic songs, his personal life continues to draw public attention. In a recent candid interview, his former wife, Rita Bhattacharya, shared emotional details about the hardships she claims to have endured during their marriage.
What Rita Said
In an interview with Film Window, Rita alleged that she was instrumental in Kumar Sanu’s rise to fame but was later left humiliated and ignored. “He is a great singer, but as a person, the less said, the better,” she remarked. “He had no ambitions — I was the one who pushed him to become a singer. I supported him and helped him become who he is today.”
Reflecting on their early struggles in Mumbai, Rita said they had no money or transport and lived in extreme poverty. “We had nothing when we arrived in Mumbai. He used to wear a lungi. He lies about how he got here, claiming his family sent him. He should just stay quiet instead of lying constantly. My children also believe it's time the truth is told. We used to sleep on the floor, without even a fan,” she shared.
Rita claimed that after the success of the film Aashiqui, Kumar Sanu changed drastically. She described him as becoming “ill-mannered” and distancing himself from family. She also revealed that he ignored the wedding of their eldest son, Jiko, and even blocked both her and their son Jaan on social media. “He enjoys being talked about — good or bad. But his behavior towards his family has been deeply hurtful,” she said.
Allegations of Mistreatment During Pregnancy
Rita opened up about what she called the most traumatic period of her life — her third pregnancy — during which she said she was subjected to cruelty by both Sanu and his family. “I lost my father while I was pregnant with Jaan. The torture I endured during that time was unbearable,” she said. “He took me to court, accusing me of cruelty — while I was pregnant. And he was having an affair during that time. That’s the reality.”
She further alleged that she was deliberately denied food while pregnant. “One time they locked the kitchen cabinets before going out. I had to ask the watchman to get a kilo of rice so I could eat. They stopped buying milk for the children and even told the pediatrician they wouldn’t pay him. Calling them human would be too generous,” she said.
Background
Kumar Sanu married Rita Bhattacharya in 1986, and they had three children together: Jiko, Jassi, and Jaan Kumar Sanu. Their marriage ended in 1994 after reports of Sanu’s alleged affair with actress Kunickaa Sadanand surfaced. Following the separation, Rita was given custody of their children.
While Kumar Sanu went on to achieve legendary status in the music industry, Rita's revelations offer a glimpse into the struggles she says she endured behind the scenes. She concluded by saying she still has unanswered questions and hopes to one day understand why her marriage ended the way it did.
Source: NDTV