The life of Sunjay Kapur, entrepreneur, polo player, and former spouse of actress Karisma Kapoor, met an untimely demise in a shocking incident that left everyone stunned and heartbroken. The 53-year-old man died in the UK following a heart attack while playing a game of polo. What made the incident more shocking was the unusual causative factor for the heart attack: Sunjay allegedly ingested a bee during the game, which is said to have triggered the cardiac episode.
A Staggering Finish on the Polo Field
Sunjay was involved in a competitive match in England when the incident happened. A bee entered his mouth while he was playing and stung him, apparently causing a heart attack. Although medical assistance came quickly, attempts to save his life were unsuccessful. The shocking nature of his passing, in the midst of a game he loved and due to such an unusual cause, has drawn attention from across the business and entertainment worlds.
Business consultant Suhel Seth confirmed the news on social media, describing it as a “terrible loss.” Sona Comstar, the company Sunjay chaired, also released a heartfelt statement mourning the visionary leader. “His values, vision, and commitment to excellence have left an enduring legacy,” the company stated in recognition of his contribution in turning the company into a global player in the electric vehicle business.
From Business Royalty to World Entrepreneur
Born into a tradition of industrial leadership, Sunjay was the son of Rani Kapur and Surinder Kapur, the founder of Sona Group, the pioneer of India’s automotive components manufacturing sector. He joined the family business in 2003 and helped make it a global player. Under his leadership, Sona Comstar emerged as an EV auto component leader and went through substantial international growth.
Educated at India’s best educational institutions, Sunjay attended the Doon School in Dehradun and later Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai. He then pursued a BBA in Corporate Strategy and Human Resources from the UK. With his mix of elite education, family legacy, and sharp business acumen, he became a key figure in Indian industry circles. He was also newly appointed as chairman of the Confederation of Indian Industry’s (CII) northern region, with business operations covering principal states such as Delhi, Haryana, Punjab, and Rajasthan.
A Life Lived in Polo and Passion
Outside the boardroom, Sunjay was an avid horse and polo enthusiast. He was patron of his own polo team, Aureus, and took part in the sport actively, frequently playing top-level games. At the time of his death, he was competing against the team Sujan, owned by hotelier Jaisal Singh. Friends and co-workers comment that Sunjay’s passion for the sport was contagious and that he applied the same discipline and leadership from the business world onto the polo field.
A Complicated Personal Life
Although his career was marked by success, Sanjay’s personal life was consistently in the public eye. He was married three times. His first marriage was to fashion designer Nandita Mahtani, and it was over in 2000. He married actress Karisma Kapoor in 2003. The couple had two kids, daughter Samaira and son Kiaan.
But their relationship became volatile. The couple filed for divorce in 2014 but briefly withdrew their application the following year, sparking speculation about reconciliation. Things turned uglier when Karisma accused Sunjay of domestic violence and dowry harassment, even claiming he once tried to “auction” her. Following a long court fight, their divorce was granted by the court in 2016. Though they ended on a bitter note, they still co-parented their kids.
Sunjay tied the knot with model-turned-entrepreneur Priya Sachdev in 2017. The couple had a son named Azarius in 2018. Priya also has another daughter named Safira from a former relationship. Sunjay was living a happy life with Priya, and they frequently used to attend social gatherings and business events together.
Bollywood Responds with Sorrow
The sudden news of Sunjay’s death immediately elicited a response from the Kapoor family. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan were spotted dashing to Karisma’s house at midnight, clearly upset. Even close friends such as Malaika Arora and Amrita Arora visited to offer their sympathy. While Karisma and Sunjay’s divorce had been messy and in the public eye, even those who had separated themselves from him were moved by the tragedy of his death.
A Life Remembered
Sunjay Kapur’s existence has been one of ambition, creativity, flair, and inner conflict. He will be remembered as a man with many hats on: businessman, sportsman, father, and conflicted public figure. His impact on Indian industry, and the emerging EV space in particular, will be felt for decades to come. And although the circumstances surrounding his death are tragic, they also underscore how much he loved life, going out doing something he loved very much.
His reputation, both on the polo ground and in the corporate world, is intact, as even those who knew him weep at the loss of a vibrant and indefatigable man who was cut down way too early.