After Lalit Modi's 'diamond digger' remark on Sushmita Sen, director Vikram Bhatt recalls dating Miss Universe while being broke: 'I didn't have money to even buy poison'SynopsisFilmmaker Vikram Bhatt recently revealed he was financially struggling while dating Sushmita Sen, even struggling to afford basic items. He worked on major film projects and dated the famous actress during this difficult period. The director's comments echo Lalit Modi's recent defence of Sushmita, suggesting she was financially independent. Read on!Vikram Bhatt opens up about his relationship with Sushmita Sen (Credit: Instagram)Days after businessman and IPL founder Lalit Modi defended Sushmita Sen against allegations of being a "gold digger" and jokingly called her a "diamond digger" instead, filmmaker Vikram Bhatt has opened up about his own relationship with the former Miss Universe.In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, Vikram opened up about the phase of his life when he was romantically involved with Sushmita but was struggling financially despite working in the film industry. The filmmaker shared candid memories of those years, describing them as a period marked by financial hardship and uncertainty.Vikram Bhatt reveals he was struggling financially while dating Sushmita SenDuring the interview, Vikram revealed that although he was associated with major film projects and worked with some of the industry's biggest names, he was far from financially secure.Looking back, he said there was a time when he was directing top actors while simultaneously dating one of the most famous women in the country. However, behind the glamour, he was dealing with serious money problems.You Might Also Like:The filmmaker recalled that his financial condition was so poor that even small purchases felt difficult. He shared that there were occasions when he could not afford to buy something as basic as a music CD.Emphasising the severity of his situation, Vikram said, "I was a struggling director. Mere pas zeher khane ke paise nahi the. I was directing Aamir Khan and dating Miss Universe, so to say, but I had no money. I was broke. I remember I didn't even have the money to buy a CD. I've lived life like a fakira."How Vikram Bhatt and Sushmita Sen's relationship beganVikram and Sushmita first became close while working on the 1996 film Dastak, which marked Sushmita's debut in Bollywood after her historic Miss Universe win.At the time, Vikram was assisting filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt on the project. Their professional association eventually developed into a relationship that attracted significant public attention.You Might Also Like:Interestingly, Vikram's recollections echoed comments made recently by Lalit Modi. The businessman had defended Sushmita against criticism surrounding their relationship and claimed that she was often the one paying bills and covering expenses during their time together.For those who don't know, Lalit Modi recently broke his silence on his relationship with Sushmita Sen. "Sushmita is very beautiful, a very well-to-do lady. She has more diamonds than anybody I have known on this planet. She’s a very wealthy lady. She has done it on her own. “There was a time when I went out with her and didn’t have to pay for anything. She paid for everything. I was like a kept boyfriend. She’s a remarkable, self-made lady. If we can say, Sushmita was not a gold digger, Lalit was a diamond digger. And she was the diamond," Lalit told Humans of Bombay.Moreover, Vikram suggested that his own experience was not very different. His comments appeared to support the idea that Sushmita was financially independent and often took care of expenses rather than relying on her partners.The filmmaker's remarks have once again sparked conversations online about Sushmita's past relationships and the public scrutiny she has faced over the years.Vikram reflects on relationships, success and life lessonsFollowing his relationship with Sushmita, Vikram later dated Ameesha Patel. The two were together from 2002 to 2007 after working on Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage.During the interview, Vikram also talked about how he views success and failure today. He acknowledged that some of his personal relationships may not have stood the test of time, but he takes comfort in the fact that many of his films continue to be remembered by audiences.The filmmaker's comments come at a time when he has also been in the news for reasons beyond cinema. Earlier this year, Vikram and his wife, art curator Shwetambari Soni, were involved in a legal dispute related to allegations of cheating and criminal breach of trust connected to a film project. The couple was arrested in December before later securing relief from the Supreme Court.Read More News on...morelessRead More News on...moreless