(Image source from: Economictimes.indiatimes.com)
The family feud over the wealth of the late businessman Sunay Kapur now includes his youngest and likely most famous heirs — his kids with ex-wife, actress Karisma Kapoor. Their daughter Samaira, 20, and son Kiaan, 15, have approached the Delhi high court claiming that their stepmother — model Priya Sachdev Kapur, Sunjay's third wife — might have faked their father's will to take charge of his wealth, which is part of a ₹30,000-crore fortune. With their mother Karisma Kapoor acting as their legal guardian, they provided a list of known properties but accused Priya of hiding information. They are seeking at least one-fifth of the estate as rightful heirs.
In addition to them, Sunjay's mother Rani Kapur has raised similar demands, asking for a share in the auto parts company Sona Comstar, which is central to the $3.6-billion business largely established by Sunjay's deceased father. The firm ranks among the leaders in India in its industry and operates at least 10 plants in India, China, Mexico, and the United States. According to the Hindu Succession Act of 1956, if there is no will, the property will be distributed equally among those named as Class I heirs. "These Class I heirs consist of the wife, all sons and daughters (whether biological or legally adopted), and the mother, along with some heirs of any deceased children," stated Tushar Kumar, a lawyer in the Supreme Court. Sunjay passed away at the age of 53 from a heart attack while playing polo in Surrey, UK, in June. He was part of the elite social circles in India and several other countries, having been married three times: first to designer Nandita Mahtani, then to Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, and lastly to Priya Sachdev, a model and entrepreneur, in 2017.
More than a month following his death, Rani Kapur, Sunjay's mother and a former chair of Sona Comstar, sent a letter to the company’s board questioning the appointments made after his unexpected death. While her claims of "highly suspicious circumstances" surrounding the death were not taken seriously — the coroner's office in Surrey confirmed that Sunjay died from natural causes — she also mentioned that she felt pressured to sign documents during her time of grief. However, the company reported that Rani has not held any shareholder status since 2019 and appointed Priya Sachdev Kapur as a non-executive director as well. In her letter, Rani expressed that while the family was in mourning over Sunjay’s unexpected death, “some individuals have taken this chance to seize control and take over the family legacy".
Rani Kapur has stated that a will from June 30, 2015, identifies her as the only inheritor of her deceased husband Surinder Kapur's estate, making her the primary owner of the Sona group. Priya has not said anything about this. There is another will that Priya claims to possess, which she brought up at a family gathering on July 30, 2025. Recently, the children of Sunjay and Karisma have accused their stepmother Priya of plotting to keep the will hidden for more than seven weeks. They allege that Priya first denied there being any will and claimed that all of Sunjay Kapur's properties were under the RK Family Trust, which also has shares in Sona Comstar. However, they say she eventually submitted a document dated March 21, 2025, calling it a will. The children’s legal action is aimed at getting a response from Priya Kapur and her young son, who both live at the family’s farmhouse in Rajokri, as well as from Sunjay Kapur’s mother Rani and others.
The children mentioned that they had a strong bond with Sunjay and traveled with him often, while also being regularly involved in his business and life events. They insisted that their father consistently promised them financial security and a good future. They also pointed out that he started businesses in their names, bought assets both personally and through company channels, and designated them as beneficiaries of the family trust. The two children took part in Sunjay's final ceremonies, with the son igniting the funeral pyre at Lodhi Cremation Ground in Delhi on June 19.
Soon after, it is said that Priya Kapur started to restrict their access to documents related to the trust and financial resources. They also claim they were called to corporate meetings of Sona Comstar and asked to sign legal documents without being given clear information about the trust agreement or related papers.
