Popular TV actress Rupali Ganguly, known for her lead role in the hit television series Anupamaa, has taken legal action against her stepdaughter, Esha Verma, following a series of damaging accusations. Ganguly, who had previously refrained from addressing the issue, filed a defamation suit on November 11 seeking Rs 50 crore in damages. The suit was submitted with the support of her attorney, celebrity lawyer Sana Raees Khan, who also appears on the current season of Bigg Boss 17.
Esha Verma, the daughter of Ganguly’s husband, Ashwin K Verma, from his previous marriage to Sapna Verma, has accused the actress of breaking up her parents’ marriage and of mistreating both herself and her mother. In resurfaced posts from 2020 and in recent social media videos, Esha alleged that Ganguly was “mentally, emotionally, and physically” abusive, describing the actress as “controlling” and “abusive.” She also claimed Ganguly made death threats towards her and her mother. Verma’s statements allege that Ganguly had an affair with Ashwin Verma prior to his divorce from Esha’s mother in 2008. Ganguly and Ashwin later married in 2013 and welcomed a son, Rudransh, that same year.
In an official statement released by Sana Raees Khan’s legal team, Ganguly emphasized that the defamatory statements have caused significant emotional distress and harm to her public image. Khan stated, “We have issued a defamation notice to her stepdaughter in response to her false and damaging statements. Rupali Ganguly firmly stands against the use of defamatory tactics for publicity and has taken this legal step to protect her reputation.” The actress was reportedly compelled to act after Verma’s statements referenced her 11-year-old son, which she found intolerable.
The lawsuit comes amid escalating tension between Ganguly and Esha, with Ganguly asserting that her stepdaughter’s public claims have unfairly tainted her personal and professional reputation. According to the legal team, the suit is intended to address what Ganguly describes as “baseless allegations” and to restore her integrity amidst what she believes is a targeted attack.
