An accidental death. A Bollywood diva. A saas-bahu twist. And a jaw-dropping ₹30,000 crore estate up for grabs. What might seem to be a plot from a Bollywood thriller novel, however, is a real life corporate and family drama involving money, power, and legacy.
Since industrialist Sunjay Kapur, ex-husband to actress Karisma Kapoor, suddenly passed away, a bitter war over succession has been waged, one that could destroy a ₹300 billion empire.
The Mysterious Death That Sparked a Power Struggle
Sunjay Kapur, Sona Comstar's chairman, died on 12th June 2025, in England, with reports suggesting that he died from a heart attack resulting from a bee sting. He was buried in Delhi on 19th June, with his ex-wife Karisma Kapoor and sister Kareena Kapoor attending his burial.
But what proved to be a tragic loss to begin with, became a war over inheritance.
Karisma Kapoor Seeks a Slice of Fortune
According to reports from Dainik Jagran, Karisma Kapoor, who had separated from Sunjay in 2016 and was awarded a ₹700 million alimony, has now shown interest in seeking a part from his vast wealth.
But as per legal experts:
- Karisma already received substantial financial compensation.
- Property rights to their children have been agreed to.
- Her legal standing in this new case could be shaky.
Sunjay also set aside a ₹140 million bond for his children, yielding ₹1 million a month, and their Khar family home already stands in their names.
Rani Kapur Proclaims Herself as Exclusive Heir
Rani Kapur, Surinder's widow, burst into the scene with a surprising statement, that she was the exclusive beneficiary of the estate. She said she was so by reason of holding a majority shareholding in Sona Group, parent company, and she claimed by virtue of Surinder's own Will.
She said, coercion during her time of mourning. Her accounts were frozen. She was pressured into signing ambiguous documents. Described Sunjay's death as being “suspicious” and deserving of investigation.
Her legal adviser, senior counsel Vaibhav Gaggar, added that all legal remedies were available.
The Power Move by Priya Sachdev Kapur
At the same time, Priya Sachdev Kapur, who was married to Sunjay during his demise, made a very powerful corporate entry. Assisted by Aureus Investments Pvt Ltd, the company which owns 28.02% of Sona Comstar, she took over as Non-Executive Director of the company.
This appointment was approved during AGM, which met on July 25, but against protest by Rani Kapur.
The Legal Edge
Sunjay Kapur was the sole beneficiary of the trust, and he directs Aureus through RK Family Trust.
This provides Priya with major influence unless the trust's authority is challenged legally.
The Billion-Dollar Question: Who Wins?
Involved here are a former Bollywood actress, a tormented mom, and a current wife-board-member, so the battle for Sunjay Kapur's future is far from over. That's beyond the courts to determine.
