Search
+
    The Economic Times daily newspaper is available online now.

    Sunjay Kapur's widow, Priya, deletes her Instagram profile after name change amid Rs 30,000 crore estate battle

    Synopsis

    Following the tragic death of Sunjay Kapur, his wife Priya Sachdev Kapur has stepped into a non-executive director role at Sona Comstar. Priya's digital footprint saw changes, including a name alteration and later, the deletion of her Instagram account. Amidst this, Sunjay's mother, Rani Kapur, has voiced concerns regarding the company's governance, adding complexity to the unfolding Kapur family legacy.

    priya deletes instaAgencies
    Priya Sachdev Steps Into New Role Following Tragic Loss

    Just days after being appointed as a non-executive director at Sona Comstar, a company in the automotive components sector that was once headed by her late husband, Sunjay Kapur, Priya Sachdev made notable updates to her online presence. These digital changes seemed to signal both personal and professional transitions. Her Instagram bio, prior to the account’s deletion, included her new title at Sona Comstar. Interestingly, she also altered her profile name to read 'Priya Sunjay Kapur,' shifting from her earlier handle, 'Priya Sachdev Kapur.' The name change was perceived by many as a symbolic step toward consolidating her identity within the Kapur legacy.

    Shortly after these modifications, Priya deleted her Instagram account entirely, according to Republic TV. While no specific reason was given, the timing raised questions about her motives and the shifting dynamics within the Kapur family and corporate structure.

    A screenshot of Priya's now-deleted Instagram profile was shared by a Bollywood Shaadis report.

    screenshot priyaAgencies
    ss priya 2Agencies


    A Shocking and Sudden Tragedy

    The backdrop to these developments is deeply tragic. Sunjay Kapur died unexpectedly during a polo match in England. What appeared to be a routine event turned fatal when he suffered cardiac arrest after inadvertently swallowing a bee. His sudden passing left family, friends, and close associates in shock. His final rites were conducted in New Delhi, with attendees including his former wife, actress Karisma Kapoor, and their children, Samairaa and Kiaan.

    Since then, a dispute over his estate, estimated to be worth Rs 30,000 crore, has been unfolding in public.

    It was later reported that Sunjay had arranged substantial financial security for his children, having issued bonds valued at Rs 14 crore for each. He had also transferred the ownership of a property to Karisma, ensuring long-term stability for his family.

    As per a Forbes report, the late tycoon's personal net worth was a whopping $1.2 billion.

    Rani Kapur Raises Concerns

    Adding complexity to the situation, Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, addressed the board of Sona Comstar in a letter sent just before the company’s annual general meeting. In her communication, she expressed discomfort about being pressured into signing documents without proper context. Though she refrained from naming individuals, speculation quickly turned toward Priya Sachdev. Rani also voiced unease about certain people attempting to present themselves as official family spokespersons.

    Priya shares a son, Azarius, with Sunjay and has a daughter, Safira, from her previous marriage to hotelier Vikram Chatwal. Notably, Safira recently dropped her father's surname from her social media identity, choosing to go simply by her first name.

    From Modeling to Matrimony

    Before becoming known in business circles, Priya had a brief stint in the entertainment world. She started her career as a model in the early 2000s and made a cameo appearance in the film Neal 'n' Nikki. Her marriage with Vikram Chatwal ended in 2011 after a prolonged custody dispute. In 2017, she tied the knot with Sunjay Kapur, who had previously been married to Karisma Kapoor.

    In a candid conversation recorded just weeks before Sunjay’s death, Priya had described his previous marriage as unconventional. She spoke openly about their blended family, expressing affection for all of Sunjay’s children and portraying their household as a unified and loving one.

    In a podcast with Kin and Kindness, Priya said, "It wasn't a conventional marriage, but one from which he had two beautiful children."

    A Legacy in Transition

    Priya’s new role at Sona Comstar and the simultaneous transformation of her public identity suggest a period of transition, both emotionally and strategically. Although no formal legal battles have emerged so far, various statements, digital changes, and key corporate decisions indicate a quiet yet decisive reordering of control over the Kapur estate. With succession issues looming large, attention remains firmly fixed on Priya Sunjay Kapur and the unfolding future of one of India’s most prominent business dynasties.

    (Catch all the Business News, Breaking News, Budget 2024 Events and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)

    Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.

    ...more
    The Economic Times

    Stories you might be interested in