Veteran playback singer Kumar Sanu has sent a legal notice to his former wife Rita Bhattacharya after her recent allegations that he deprived her and their children of food, medical care and basic necessities during her third pregnancy. The singer, 67, took action through his lawyer Sana Raees Khan, who strongly refuted the claims, calling them “malicious attempts” to damage his reputation and family honour.

Kumar Sanu’s response through legal counsel

In a statement released on Thursday, lawyer Sana Raees Khan said Kumar Sanu has dedicated over four decades of his life to music, spreading joy to millions through his work. She dismissed Rita’s statements as “hurtful lies” that cannot overshadow his legacy.

“For over 40 years, Mr. Kumar Sanu has poured his soul into music, giving joy to millions and earning love and respect across the world. Hurtful lies may create noise for a moment, but they can never erase the legacy of an artist who has given a lifetime of music and memories to generations,” the statement read.

The counsel further emphasised that the singer would not allow defamatory claims to tarnish his reputation. “We will ensure that malicious attempts to defame him are met with the full force of the law to protect his dignity, legacy and family honour. No individual or media platform has the right to malign a father’s honour or trade his family’s respect for sensationalism,” Khan said.

Rita Bhattacharya’s allegations

Rita Bhattacharya, who was married to Kumar Sanu from 1980 to 1994, made the allegations in a recent interview with YouTuber Siddharth Kannan. She claimed that during her third pregnancy, she and her children were denied basic necessities.

“He denied them milk. He denied them medical care. You don’t know how much this man has tortured my children. The milkman told me he’d been told not to come over anymore, but he still gave me milk. Same with the doctor who delivered all three of my sons,” Rita alleged.

She further said that during their divorce, she received only ₹100 and was forced to sell her jewellery to sustain her family.

Rita also recalled the 2005 Mumbai floods, saying her children Zico and Jaan went missing during the chaos. “I was looking for them all night. It was terrifying. Even then, that man didn’t ask if his children are okay,” she alleged.

Marriage and personal history

Kumar Sanu married Rita Bhattacharya in 1980, years before his rise to fame as one of Bollywood’s most celebrated playback singers. The couple’s relationship turned turbulent, and they divorced in 1994. During that period, Kumar Sanu was also linked to actor Kunickaa Sadanand.

In 2001, the singer married Saloni Bhattacharya, with whom he has two daughters. His son Jaan Kumar Sanu, from his first marriage, has also pursued a career in music and reality television.

Legacy versus controversy

Kumar Sanu remains one of the most prolific singers in the Indian film industry, known for lending his voice to hundreds of chart-topping songs in the 1990s and early 2000s. The singer has also been honoured with the Padma Shri award for his contributions to Indian music.

The ongoing dispute with his ex-wife, however, has once again brought his personal life into the spotlight. While Rita’s allegations have drawn attention, Kumar Sanu’s legal team insists that they are baseless and motivated by an attempt to malign his public image.

With the notice now served, the matter is expected to proceed legally if Rita Bhattacharya does not retract her statements.