Will Karisma Kapoor’s children inherit Sunjay Kapur’s ₹300 billion empire?

The sudden passing of Sunjay Kapur, the industrialist and ex-husband of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, has reignited widespread speculation about the heirs to his vast business empire and his ₹300 billion (approximately $4 billion) estate. Sunjay Kapur’s death in June 2025, due to a heart attack triggered after a bee sting during a polo match in the United Kingdom, left the family and business stakeholders grappling with questions about succession, estate management, and the future of the legacy he built.

While intense public focus has largely revolved around the escalating feud between Sunjay’s widow, Priya Sachdev Kapur, and his mother, Rani Kapur, concerns regarding the financial future of Sunjay’s two children from his first marriage with Karisma Kapoor — Samaira (20) and Kiaan (14) — have prompted several clarifications. Contrary to speculations that family turmoil might impinge on their inheritance, sources close to the family have reassured that the children’s interests are protected through thoughtful legacy planning and legal safeguards.

This article delves into the intricate details surrounding Sunjay Kapur’s estate, the position of Karisma Kapoor’s children within the inheritance structure, and the broader implications for the Kapur family’s business empire.

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Background: Sunjay Kapur and His Business Empire

Sunjay Kapur was a widely respected industrialist who chaired Sona Comstar, a leading Indian automotive components company valued at over ₹310 billion (~$3.7 billion). His entrepreneurial journey, marked by innovation and expansion, secured him a notable position in India’s business landscape. At the time of his death, industry reports from Forbes and Hindustan Times pegged his net worth at around $1.2 billion (₹10,300 crore), with fluctuating peaks as high as $1.6 billion in 2022 and 2024.

Beyond Sona Comstar, Sunjay was part of a powerful family lineage, with his father, Dr. Surinder Kapur, being an established industrialist who founded the brand ‘Sona.’ The family’s legacy also extended through his two sisters — Superna Kapur Motwane and Mandira Kapur Koirala — both successful in their respective domains. Notably, Mandira runs Sona Mandira Pvt Ltd (SMPL), which specializes in auto parts manufacturing.

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The Family Structure and Sunjay’s Passing

Sunjay Kapur married Karisma Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated actresses, in 2003 through an arranged marriage. The marriage produced two children: Samaira, now 20, and Kiaan, aged 14. The couple divorced amicably in 2016 but reportedly maintained cordial relations, especially for the sake of their children.

After filing for divorce, Sunjay remarried Priya Sachdev Kapur, with whom he had a young son, Azarius (6). Priya, after Sunjay’s untimely demise on June 12, 2025, assumed the role of managing the RK Family Trust, which controls Sona Comstar, and was appointed as a non-executive director on the company’s board.

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Estate Management and the RK Family Trust

The RK Family Trust is the legal and financial structure that underpins the Kapur family’s wealth and assets, including their stake in Sona Comstar. Sunjay Kapur was the sole beneficiary of this trust during his lifetime, granting him control over the company and its interests.

Following his death, the trust’s management transitioned to Priya Sachdev Kapur, empowered not only as Sunjay’s widow but also as the legal guardian of their young son Azarius. This transition has ignited tensions, particularly with Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, who has expressed dissatisfaction, alleging she was sidelined during the critical post-mortem decisions. Additionally, ideological and legal disputes are reportedly underway as Rani seeks to assert influence and probe the circumstances around her son’s death.

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What About Karisma Kapoor’s Children? Their Inheritance and Financial Security

In the midst of the tussle over control of the vast business empire, it is important to focus on Karisma Kapoor’s children — Samaira and Kiaan — and what they are set to inherit from their father.

1. Allocated Financial Assets
Sunjay Kapur made provisions to ensure that his children from the first marriage were financially secure. Both Samaira and Kiaan have reportedly been allotted bonds worth ₹0.14 billion (approximately $1.68 million) each. These fixed-income investments provide a stable financial base for each child.

2. Monthly Income Allowance
Apart from the bonds, the two children are entitled to receive a monthly income of ₹1 million (roughly $12,000) each. Such a steady cash flow is designed to maintain their standard of living irrespective of the broader estate’s management.

3. Property Ownership and Assets
Karisma Kapoor, on behalf of her children, has been given ownership of a family property once belonging to Sunjay’s father, Dr. Surinder Kapur. Although Karisma herself holds no claim over Sunjay Kapur’s entire estate, this property is a tangible asset that underscores the significance of preserving the children’s interests.

4. Legal and Legacy Protections
According to family insiders and estate lawyers familiar with the arrangement, strict legal structures and binding trusts govern the children’s inheritance, insulating it from ongoing disputes involving Priya Sachdev Kapur and Rani Kapur. These legacy plans were put in place proactively by Sunjay to shield his offspring’s financial rights.

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Role of Karisma Kapoor and Her Position on the Inheritance

Despite her public profile and direct connection to Sunjay Kapur’s children, Karisma Kapoor has consciously kept herself distanced from any property or business disputes following Sunjay’s death. She remains focused on her children’s well-being and education and has made no public claims or litigations over the ₹300 billion estate.

Karisma’s approach appears to prioritize the emotional and personal concerns of her children rather than engaging in protracted inheritance battles. This tactic stance stands in contrast to the high-decibel conflict playing out between Priya and Rani Kapur.

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The Family Feud: Priya Sachdev Kapur vs. Rani Kapur

While Samaira and Kiaan’s financial interests seem protected, Sunjay’s widow, Priya Sachdev Kapur, and his mother, Rani Kapur, remain embroiled in a struggle for authority over the family legacy.

– **Priya’s Position:** As the legal guardian of her young son Azarius and the manager of the RK Family Trust’s affairs, Priya wields significant control over Sona Comstar’s operations and policies. She was promptly appointed a non-executive directorship in July 2025, reinforcing her influence.

– **Rani’s Objections:** The matriarch Rani Kapur alleges that Priya was pressured into key decisions, notably signing important documents, without her input. She has also publicly challenged the official version of Sunjay’s death and is said to be contemplating legal avenues to regain oversight of the family trust and business.

This discord is significant, given that Sunjay’s two sisters, Superna Kapur Motwane and Mandira Kapur Koirala, hold influential roles in related family enterprises and may play crucial parts in company governance amid this unsettled situation.

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Who Will Ultimately Control Sona Comstar?

Multiple reports suggest that while Priya manages the trust and company board decisions currently, the leadership mantle of Sona Comstar could also see involvement from Sunjay’s sisters. Both Superna and Mandira have established careers and a stake in the family’s industrial legacy.

Some legal ambiguities remain as to how much of operational control Priya can exercise long-term, especially if Rani successfully brings her case in court. Presently, the existing corporate governance rules and trust documents govern these decisions.

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Final Thoughts: The Future for Samaira and Kiaan

Despite the high-profile inheritance dispute and complex family dynamics, Karisma Kapoor’s children — Samaira and Kiaan — appear to have a clearly secured financial future backed by bonds, steady income, and property ownership. These arrangements speak to Sunjay Kapur’s foresight in legacy planning, ensuring that his children from the first marriage are not adversely impacted by the ongoing disputes.

Karisma Kapoor’s measured and low-key approach further underlines a protective environment for the children amid turbulent times. While the battle over management control of the family empire continues to unfold in the public eye, Samaira and Kiaan’s share remains buffered by law and family agreements.

As the dust settles and legal processes take their course, it is expected that the Kapur family will eventually reach a resolution maintaining both the family legacy and the financial security of all heirs — including Karisma Kapoor’s children.

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In conclusion, Karisma Kapoor’s children are poised to inherit a significant and secure part of their late father Sunjay Kapur’s estate, safeguarded through detailed legacy plans despite ongoing family disputes. Their financial legacy will remain intact, reflecting the industrialist’s intention to protect his progeny from the turbulence following his unexpected demise.