Business tycoon and former spouse of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur, tragically passed away in London on Thursday. The 52-year-old industrialist reportedly suffered a fatal cardiac arrest after accidentally ingesting a bee. His unexpected demise has left his loved ones and the business world in mourning. Known for his prominent role as chairman of auto parts giant Sona Comstar, Sunjay was also a father to three children: Samaira and Kiaan with Karisma Kapoor and Azarias with his third wife, Priya Sachdev. He had also taken on the role of a father to Priya’s daughter from an earlier relationship.
Journey Through Marriages and Fatherhood
Sunjay's entry into public attention was largely driven by his high-profile wedding to Karisma Kapoor in 2003. This was not his first marriage—prior to Karisma, he had been briefly married to fashion designer Nandita Mahtani. Following a lengthy separation and eventual legal divorce from Karisma in 2016, Sunjay went on to tie the knot with former model Priya Sachdev. Their union brought together children from their past relationships, forming a close-knit blended family.
Despite personal challenges, Sunjay made a consistent effort to remain involved in the lives of his children from all marriages. His wife, Priya, often posted glimpses of their warm family moments—vacations, birthdays, and holiday celebrations—offering a rare look at their harmonious domestic life. In a candid discussion on the YouTube platform 'Indian Silicon Valley,' Sunjay had spoken openly about the significance of nurturing strong familial bonds. He emphasized how much he valued unity and togetherness, even in the context of a non-traditional family. He also revealed that he and Priya were undergoing professional guidance in parenting, aiming to provide their children with the most supportive upbringing possible.
Business Legacy and Global Reach
Born into an entrepreneurial lineage, Sunjay stepped into the auto components business founded by his father, Surinder Kapur, in 1997. Surinder Kapur was hailed as a visionary in India’s automobile industry, laying the groundwork for what would become a global powerhouse. After Surinder’s passing in 2015, Sunjay took the reins of Sona Comstar as its managing director. Under his leadership, the company expanded its footprint with nine manufacturing plants across India, the United States, China, Mexico, and Serbia.
By March 2025, Sona Comstar boasted a market capitalization exceeding ₹31,000 crore. The promoters retained over 28% ownership in the enterprise, reflecting strong internal confidence. Just months before his passing, the company was valued at an impressive Rs 40,000 crore. Forbes listed Sunjay’s personal fortune at approximately $1.2 billion ( Rs 10,300 crore), placing him among the wealthiest individuals globally at rank 2703.
As per Forbes, Kapur's empire was named Sona after his grandfather's jewelry business. In Hindi, the word 'Sona' translates to gold.
Journey Through Marriages and Fatherhood
Sunjay's entry into public attention was largely driven by his high-profile wedding to Karisma Kapoor in 2003. This was not his first marriage—prior to Karisma, he had been briefly married to fashion designer Nandita Mahtani. Following a lengthy separation and eventual legal divorce from Karisma in 2016, Sunjay went on to tie the knot with former model Priya Sachdev. Their union brought together children from their past relationships, forming a close-knit blended family.Despite personal challenges, Sunjay made a consistent effort to remain involved in the lives of his children from all marriages. His wife, Priya, often posted glimpses of their warm family moments—vacations, birthdays, and holiday celebrations—offering a rare look at their harmonious domestic life. In a candid discussion on the YouTube platform 'Indian Silicon Valley,' Sunjay had spoken openly about the significance of nurturing strong familial bonds. He emphasized how much he valued unity and togetherness, even in the context of a non-traditional family. He also revealed that he and Priya were undergoing professional guidance in parenting, aiming to provide their children with the most supportive upbringing possible.
Business Legacy and Global Reach
Born into an entrepreneurial lineage, Sunjay stepped into the auto components business founded by his father, Surinder Kapur, in 1997. Surinder Kapur was hailed as a visionary in India’s automobile industry, laying the groundwork for what would become a global powerhouse. After Surinder’s passing in 2015, Sunjay took the reins of Sona Comstar as its managing director. Under his leadership, the company expanded its footprint with nine manufacturing plants across India, the United States, China, Mexico, and Serbia.By March 2025, Sona Comstar boasted a market capitalization exceeding ₹31,000 crore. The promoters retained over 28% ownership in the enterprise, reflecting strong internal confidence. Just months before his passing, the company was valued at an impressive Rs 40,000 crore. Forbes listed Sunjay’s personal fortune at approximately $1.2 billion ( Rs 10,300 crore), placing him among the wealthiest individuals globally at rank 2703.
As per Forbes, Kapur's empire was named Sona after his grandfather's jewelry business. In Hindi, the word 'Sona' translates to gold.
( Originally published on Jun 13, 2025 )
