Businessman Sunjay Kapur, chairman of Sona Comstar and former husband of actor Karisma Kapoor, passed away on Thursday evening at the age of 53. Reports suggest he suffered a fatal heart attack while playing polo in England. According to business consultant Suhel Seth, who confirmed the news to ANI, Kapur may have accidentally swallowed a bee during the game, which possibly led to the sudden medical emergency.
Suhel Seth expressed his condolences on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Deeply saddened at the passing of @sunjaykapur: he passed away earlier today in England: a terrible loss and deepest condolences to his family and to his colleague.”
At the time of his demise, Sunjay was married to entrepreneur and former model Priya Sachdev. Sona Comstar, under his leadership, had emerged as a prominent player in the electric vehicle space. The company released an official statement mourning his passing, calling him “a visionary leader and a compassionate person” whose dedication played a key role in shaping the organisation’s global success.
Just hours before his death, Sunjay’s final post on social media was a message of condolence for the victims of the Ahmedabad Air India crash. “Terrible news of the tragic Air India crash in Ahmedabad. My thoughts and prayers are with all the families affected. May they find strength in this difficult hour,” he had written.
A complicated personal past
Sunjay married Karisma Kapoor in 2003, but their marriage ended in a much-publicised and turbulent divorce in 2016. The couple share two children—Samaira and Kiaan. The divorce had turned bitter, with Karisma accusing Sunjay of physical abuse, dowry harassment, and even claiming he had once attempted to “auction her off”. Despite a brief attempt at reconciliation in 2015, the legal battle ultimately ended in their separation.
Following the news of Sunjay’s death, Karisma’s sister Kareena Kapoor Khan and brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan were seen arriving at her residence around midnight, visibly shaken by the news. Malaika Arora and her sister Amrita Arora also visited to offer their support.
Sunjay later tied the knot with Priya Sachdev in 2017, and the couple have a son together.