Sunjay Kapur, billionaire industrialist and ex-husband of actor Karisma Kapoor, passed away on June 12 after collapsing during a polo match in London. According to those close to him, Sunjay complained of discomfort mid-game and exited the field. He later died of a heart attack. Some sources suggest that he accidentally swallowed a bee, and the resulting sting in his throat may have triggered the fatal heart attack.
At the time, Sunjay was playing for Aureus, the polo team he owned, against Sujan, a team led by hotelier Jaisal Singh, at the Guards Polo Club.
Kapur’s sudden death created uncertainty around leadership at Sona Comstar, the auto component giant he led. He took over the company in 2015 after the death of his father, Dr Surinder Kapur, and helped expand the company globally.
According to Bloomberg, the company’s market capitalization is about ₹31,000 crore (roughly $4 billion). After his passing, Sona Comstar’s shares dropped by 7%, as investors worried about the future leadership of the company.
In a public statement, the company said, “His vision, values, and dedication to excellence have left a lasting legacy for the company. We assure our customers, business partners, employees, and shareholders that our operations and prospects remain unchanged as we honour his legacy.”
So far, no official announcement has been made about Sunjay’s permanent successor. According to a report by India.com, his sisters may take up managerial responsibilities temporarily, while the existing board handles daily operations.
Just days after his passing, the board appointed Jeffrey Mark Overly as chairman, a move seen as a step toward maintaining stability.
The days following Sunjay’s death saw tension rise within the Kapur family. His mother, Rani Kapur, widow of Dr Surinder Kapur, accused the board of acting unethically during her mourning period.
In a letter addressed to SEBI and company shareholders, Rani wrote, “I was emotionally shattered and coerced into signing documents I hadn't seen. This AGM is a betrayal of the family legacy.”
She also objected to the appointment of Priya Sachdev Kapur (Sunjay's current wife) as a non-executive director, claiming the family was not consulted. Additionally, she warned about individuals falsely claiming to speak on behalf of the Kapur family.
The company denied these allegations, stating: “Rani Kapur has not held shares in the company since 2019. No documents were signed or collected from her after Sunjay's death. All board decisions, including Priya's appointment, followed due process and shareholder approval. The AGM notice was issued on July 1; her request to delay came only on July 24.”
At the time of his death, Forbes estimated Sunjay Kapur’s net worth at $1.2 billion (₹10,300 crore). At his peak, his wealth had reached $1.6 billion (₹13,000 crore) in 2022 and 2024.
Sunjay was the sole beneficiary of the RK Family Trust, which holds the promoter stake in Sona Comstar through Aureus Investments Pvt. Ltd. Legally, this trust, along with the rest of his estate, will now be managed by his wife, Priya Sachdev Kapur.
However, Sunjay’s children from his previous marriage to Karisma Kapoor—Samaira (20) and Kiaan (14)—have also been financially provided for:
He gifted them bonds worth ₹14 crore
He set up monthly income of ₹10 lakh for each child
Additionally, Karisma Kapoor was reportedly given a house that had belonged to Sunjay’s father as part of the asset division.
Sunjay Kapur married Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor in 2003. They became parents to Samaira in 2005 and Kiaan in 2011. The couple separated in 2014 and were granted divorce in 2016. Karisma received custody of the children, while Sunjay was given visitation rights.
Later, Sunjay married Priya Sachdev, a model and entrepreneur who already had a daughter from a previous relationship. They had a son together named Azarius, who is now 6 years old.
While Sona Comstar’s board has taken steps to ensure business continuity, the future of leadership at the company remains unclear. The family feud and succession questions have raised concerns among shareholders and market observers.
With legal rights, board decisions, and family legacy now in the spotlight, the aftermath of Sunjay Kapur’s death could have lasting effects on both business and personal fronts.
