Karisma Kapoor-Sunjay Kapur to Kamal Haasan-Sarika: 6 celebrities who dragged their children to court

Take a look at some of the celebrity couples who have faced such custody battles in the past.

First Published Dec 23, 2020, 10:24 AM IST

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Leander Paes and Rhea Pillai: Legendary tennis player Leander Paes filed an appeal in court seeking the custody of his child Aiyana on May 3, 2014. In this case, the strange fact was that Rhea and Leander were never married, and were in a live-in relationship for 8 years.

In the petition, Leander alleged that Rhea is not a good mother and that he was concerned about Aiyana’s well-being and safety. He also tried to obtain a court order to restrict Rhea from taking Aiyana out of Mumbai. However, Rhea refused to comment on this matter, but her lawyer Mrunalini Deshmukh had reportedly said “Rhea will fight for Aiyana's custody. As per the law, in a live-in relationship, the custody of the child usually goes to the mother.”

Sunjay Kapur and Karisma Kapoor: After Leander went public with his petition, Sunjay Kapur too moved a court for custody of his 9-year-old daughter Samaira, and 4-year-old son Kiaan. Reportedly, Sunjay told media that he was forced to take this action because Karisma did not permit him to meet their children. But later, the two decided to end their divorce battle amicably. And agreed to give custody of their kids to Karisma with visiting rights to Sunjay.

Reena Roy and Mohsin Khan: The Bollywood actress married Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan and settled in Pakistan. The couple was blessed with a beautiful daughter, and they named her Jannat. However, their marriage did not last long. Initially, Mohsin was granted guardianship of their daughter. But after a long judicial battle and Mohsin Khan’s remarriage, Reena won custody of her daughter. Following this, she brought her to India and re-named her Sanam.

Kamal Haasan and Sarika: The popular south couple has two daughters, Shruti and Akshara. Although the couple had a troubled marriage, they stayed united till 2004. After this, Sarika could not be with Kamal because of his alleged connection with another woman. Later, the actress decided to file an appeal for custody of her two daughters. She won the case and shifted to Mumbai with them.

Sanjay Dutt and Richa Sharma: Munna Bhai actor married Richa Sharma in 1987. Following this, the couple welcomed their daughter, Trishala. But, the marriage hit the rocks when Sanjay was accused of possessing illegal weapons, after the 1993 Mumbai blasts. On the other hand, Richa, who was suffering from a brain tumor, passed away in 1996, which left Trishala all alone. So Richa’s parents and her sister Ena decided to fight for Trishala’s custody, as they were worried about her childhood. Sanjay too fought the battle, but sadly, lost the case, and Trishala went on to live with her grandparents in the USA.
 

Raj and Kavita Kundra: Actress Shilpa Shetty’s husband, Raj Kundra, and his first wife, Kavita Kundra, too were involved in a painful custody battle of their daughter, Deleena. At first, Raj Kundra was allowed to visit his child in Kavita’s presence. But, given Raj’s alleged infidelity, Kavita did not want him to have any contact with the child, and she requested the court to revoke his visiting rights. Raj Kundra eventually lost the case.