Karisma Kapoor pays tribute to Sunjay Kapur following his unexpected death in London on June 12, 2025, an event that has reignited public attention on their high-profile marriage and divorce. The Bollywood actress attended his prayer meet in Delhi accompanied by their children and family, marking an emotionally charged moment that reflects on both their complicated past and the legacy Sunjay Kapur leaves behind.
Tearful Tribute at Sunjay Kapur’s Prayer Gathering
On Sunday, June 22, a prayer ceremony for the late Sunjay Kapur was held at the Taj Palace Hotel in Delhi, bringing together family and friends to remember his life and mourn his passing. Karisma Kapoor, along with her daughter Samaira and son Kiaan, traveled from Mumbai to attend the memorial. They were joined by her sister Kareena Kapoor Khan and brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan, who provided visible emotional comfort during the difficult moments.
Images from the solemn event continue to circulate widely, one in particular capturing Karisma and her children standing with folded hands, expressing their grief alongside Sunjay’s third wife, Priya Sachdev. Both women, central to different chapters of Sunjay Kapur’s life, appeared deeply moved as they faced the loss together. The visual presence of both families highlighted the deep emotional undercurrents that remain despite former conflicts.
Throughout the mourning period, Kareena and Saif’s support was especially evident, standing by Karisma and her children as they paid their final respects. The public nature of these moments has resonated across social media, prompting reflection on the enduring bonds of extended families, even after turbulent breakups.
The Story Behind Karisma and Sunjay Kapur’s Arranged-Marriage
Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur were married on September 29, 2003, at the Krishna Raj Bungalow. Their wedding, a combination of grandeur and intimacy, was celebrated in the presence of close friends and family. Although the couple had met before their marriage, the union was initiated with the help of mutual friends, making it an arranged match fit for two high-profile families.
Before their wedding, Karisma’s father, the well-known actor Randhir Kapoor, was vocal about how the arrangement came about. He shared in a 2003 interview that the forthcoming wedding had been decided with support from those within their trusted social circle, clarifying that while Karisma and Sunjay knew each other, it was not a spontaneous romance but rather a planned alliance between prominent lineages.
Randhir Kapoor stated,
“We will be able to give you the date in a couple of days. The wedding is an arranged one. Both Karisma and Sunjay have known each other, but the alliance has been fixed with the help of common friends.”
—Randhir Kapoor, Actor and Father
The High-Profile Divorce and Lingering Acrimony
The marriage between Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur drew significant public attention not just for its opulence but also for its contentious dissolution. The couple separated in 2014, following years of reported discord, and finalized their divorce in 2016 after a drawn-out legal confrontation. Allegations from both sides fueled a media storm: Karisma accused Sunjay of domestic abuse, while Sunjay alleged that financial motives drove the marriage.
Randhir Kapoor, Karisma’s father, was openly critical throughout the ordeal. Reports recall his direct condemnation of Sunjay’s behavior and motives, reinforcing the familial divisions that plagued the union. According to NDTV, he expressed,
“Sunjay is a third-class man… Everyone knows our credentials. We are Kapoors. We don’t need to run after anyone’s money. We have been blessed with not only money, but also our talent… (It) can support us for the rest of our lives.”
—Randhir Kapoor, Actor and Father
He further added about his disapproval and concerns,
“I never wanted Karisma marrying him. He never cared for his wife. He has been giving bull**** to her and living with another woman. The entire Delhi knows how he is. I would not like to say anything more than this,”
he had added. —Randhir Kapoor, Actor and Father
Despite public and personal upheaval, Karisma and Sunjay reportedly maintained a cooperative relationship for the sake of their children, Samaira and Kiaan. Sunjay continued to fulfill his role as a father, ensuring his presence in their lives even after the breakdown of the marriage.
A Lasting Impact on Family and Legacy
Sunjay Kapur’s passing has reawakened scrutiny of the couple’s eventful years together and apart, serving as a poignant reminder of the complexities that come with high-profile relationships. The reunion of families at his prayer meet, though born from grief, also stands as evidence of mutual respect and care, especially in co-parenting contexts like that of Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur’s children.
As the film industry and society at large reflect on the events at the Taj Palace Hotel and the emotions they stirred, the intertwined histories of Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur, and their extended families continue to spark discussions about love, loss, and legacy. What happens next for those most closely affected—the couple’s children and families—remains to be seen, but the influential ties and emotional memories endure.
