The divorce of Tamil actor Vijay with his wife Sangeetha recently became one of the most discussed matters in many news reports. Fans were shocked when media reports showed Sangeetha had sought to divorce him after more than two decades of marriage. The case is pending in the Chengalpattu Family Court: one of the areas of discussion is regarding the alimony that Sangeetha requested of Vijay.
Among the biggest stars in Indian cinema: Vijay, who many of his fans refer to as “Thalapathy.” His marriage to Sangeetha in 1999 was widely celebrated as a blissful union and they have two children. But differences blossomed over the years and Sangeetha finally went to court for divorce. In her petition she said that she wanted a fair settlement that recognizes Vijay’s financial standing and her rights as his wife.
Sangeetha asked for alimony, but the exact amount has not been declared since, according to reports. Media speculation has it that she might be looking for a meaningful portion of Vijay’s fortune. Some outlets have even claimed that it could be close to 50% of his assets, valued at about ₹600 crore. But that is speculation. The court will decide the final amount based on Vijay’s income, lifestyle and the needs of Sangeetha and their youngsters. Her demands are said to involve:
- a place to live permanently
- a reasonable alimony amount
- coverage of legal expenses
In India, alimony is determined based on the husband’s income, assets and lifestyle during the marriage. Courts generally try to make sure a wife can enjoy a similar lifestyle after separation. In high-profile cases like these, the settlement typically runs into multiple crores.
Vijay’s fans have been split on how to react. Some believe that Sangeetha deserves a fair share after so many years, while others feel the demands are too high. The case also has raised larger questions about celebrity marriages, and the financial settlements that come after it.
The precise alimony amount currently is not known. What seems certain is that the divorce case will still draw attention until the judges’ word. For now, both Vijay and Sangeetha are readying themselves for a trial that might serve as a model for such celebrity divorces in India later on.
