Jayam Ravi-Aarti divorce drama: Actor's ex-mother-in-law Sujatha refutes 'gold digger' claims he made her borrow Rs 1100 crore

Economic Times

18-05-2025

Agencies Ravi Mohan (left) tied the knot with Aarthi, daughter of renowned producer Sujatha Vijayakumar, (right) in 2009. After 15 years of marriage, the couple parted ways in 2024. For the first time in her decades-long journey through the film industry, acclaimed producer Sujatha Vijayakumar has chosen to speak out—publicly and emotionally—about the intense accusations leveled against her by her former son-in-law, actor Jayam Ravi. Known for her calm presence and professionalism, Sujatha stated that she has been left with 'no other option' but to address these personal attacks, which she described as deeply damaging and unfair.Ravi, who was married to her daughter Aarthi, allegedly branded Sujatha as a 'tormentor', "gold digger" and 'family breaker". Sujatha, clearly distressed, expressed that such harsh words from someone once part of her family have pierced her deeply.
Addressing the claims that she used Ravi's name to secure hefty loans, Sujatha clarified that she never leveraged his reputation for monetary benefits. On the contrary, she asserted that she went out of her way to protect his image and avoid dragging him into any financial complications. She claimed to have personally signed stacks of documents—many of them left blank—just to shield Ravi from any legal or financial liability.Sujatha revealed that she had borrowed approximately Rs 1,100 crore to fund three major films featuring Ravi: Adangamaru, Bhoomi, and Siren. She pointed out that 25% of each film's budget was reserved for Ravi's payment and applicable taxes and that she has clear proof of all transactions and filings.She further shared that over the past year, she made several efforts to reconnect and heal the strained family dynamics, but those moves were misconstrued as attempts to manipulate or control. 'We still wish for him to shine as our hero—forever,' Sujatha wrote, asking the media and public to avoid unfair assumptions about her intentions.Responding to the accusation that Ravi was weighed down by debts due to her film productions, Sujatha firmly refuted it. She maintained that she alone is managing the repayment of interest and principal, with no contribution from Ravi—despite his written promise to act in another film to help offset the losses from Siren, a commitment he allegedly never fulfilled.Sujatha ended her statement on an emotional note, appealing not as a producer but as a mother and grandmother. 'All I want now is for peace to return to our family,' she wrote, revealing the deep anguish of watching her daughter's life unravel in public view. The turmoil has left her heartbroken.Jayam Ravi married Sujatha's daughter Aarthi in 2009, and they have two sons—Aarav and Ayan. In 2024, Ravi announced his decision to end their marriage, reportedly without Aarthi's agreement. Matters worsened when pictures of Ravi with his friend Kenisha surfaced online, sparking rumors of an affair. While both denied the speculations, Ravi was later spotted attending a wedding with Kenisha, further fueling gossip.Following this, Aarthi claimed that Ravi had served her and their children with a legal notice to vacate their residence. In response, Ravi issued another statement denying these claims. The estranged couple is now locked in a bitter divorce, with allegations of neglect, emotional distress, and lack of support dominating the headlines.Professionally, Jayam Ravi was last seen alongside Nithya Menen in the romantic film Kadhalikka Neramillai. His future projects include the political thriller Karathey Babu, period piece Parasakthi, fantasy drama Genie (in which he plays dual roles), and the much-awaited sequel Thani Oruvan 2 with Nayanthara.