New Delhi: In a high-stakes legal battle, popular television actress Rupali Ganguly, known for her role in Anupamaa, has filed a defamation lawsuit against her stepdaughter, Esha Verma, seeking Rs 50 crore in damages. Ganguly claims Esha has made “false and damaging” statements, tarnishing her reputation and causing emotional distress.
Represented by lawyer Sana Raees Khan, Ganguly’s legal team asserts that Esha’s accusations across social media platforms—X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook—have publicly defamed her and affected her personal and professional life. According to the notice, Ganguly was “shocked” by Esha’s comments, which allegedly include unsubstantiated claims of assault and manipulation.
The notice reveals that Ganguly experienced severe mental trauma, necessitating medical attention, and endured workplace humiliation as a result of these allegations. The actress initially refrained from addressing the controversy, prioritizing her family’s privacy, but opted for legal action when Esha’s accusations involved her 11-year-old son. Ganguly has demanded a public apology, with further legal consequences if Esha does not comply.
The case stems from an escalating family dispute, following Esha’s interview with Bollywood Bubble, where she accused Ganguly of physically assaulting her mother and claimed her father, Ashwin Verma, was abusive. Esha alleged that Ganguly played a role in her parents’ separation and influenced her father’s divorce from her mother, Sapna Verma, in 2008.
Esha also shared her distress over recent developments, alleging that Ganguly stayed in her parents’ home in New Jersey and influenced her father to file for divorce. The legal notice outlines Ganguly and Ashwin’s 12-year friendship before their marriage in 2013, with claims that the couple offered Esha support in her early career by providing opportunities for photoshoots and auditions.
Ashwin Verma recently issued a statement on X, addressing his past relationships and expressing regret over the distress caused to his daughters. He emphasized that his previous marriage ended due to personal challenges unrelated to Ganguly. “Marriages end for many reasons, and my relationship with my second wife had its own set of difficulties,” he stated, hoping to shield his family from further media attention.
This family drama continues to unfold, capturing the public’s interest with both legal and personal challenges.
