Priya Sachdev, the widow of late businessman Sanjay Kapur, has taken legal action against her sister-in-law Mandhira Kapur. She filed a defamation complaint on Saturday, escalating tensions in their ongoing family conflict.
Defamation Allegations Over Social Media Posts
The complaint targets Mandhira Kapur for her online activities. Priya Sachdev alleges that Mandhira repeatedly shared videos and posts across multiple platforms. These posts appeared on YouTube, Instagram, and X, formerly known as Twitter.
According to the petition, these posts explicitly named Priya Sachdev. They contained what she describes as false allegations. These statements aimed to cause hatred, ridicule, and social ostracism against her. The complaint argues these actions demolished her reputation.
Mandhira Kapur's Immediate Response
Mandhira Kapur responded to the allegations in an interview with HT City. She defended her statements vigorously. "All of what I said is mentioned in court, how am I defaming?" she questioned. "Anything I have lied about, let me know, because I can guarantee I've lied about nothing," Mandhira asserted.
She revealed she learned about the defamation case through social media. Formal notification has not reached her yet. "The funny thing is the media got it before me!" she remarked. "These are all tactics to distract me from what is going on," Mandhira added.
Background: The Massive Estate Dispute
This legal move occurs amid a bitter and ongoing family dispute. The conflict involves Priya Sachdev and Sanjay Kapur's family members. These include his mother Rani, his former wife Karisma Kapoor, and their children.
At the heart of the matter lies ownership of a substantial estate. Reports value this estate at an astonishing Rs 30,000 crore. The dispute has created deep divisions within the prominent family.
Mandhira Kapur's Emotional Account
Mandhira Kapur shared her mother's distress over the situation. "I sit with my mother everyday, and she says 'get everything back, your father and I built this'," Mandhira recounted. "It's horrible, what our family is going through," she expressed emotionally.
She emphasized her commitment to truth-telling. "I am not going to go out there and lie to anybody about what the reality is," Mandhira stated. "There's nothing I can do if Priya is upset. I don't blame her for being upset, but it is the truth," she continued.
Mandhira highlighted her mother's current predicament. "My mother, who built everything, today doesn't have anything on her name. Imagine what she is going through," she said poignantly.
Addressing Timing and Motives
When questioned about her timing, Mandhira remained unfazed. Critics asked why she did not speak out earlier, particularly before Sanjay's death in 2025. Some suggested she might have personal motives.
"Let them say what they want to," Mandhira responded dismissively. She clarified the family's perspective on inheritance. "The fact is, all this belongs to my mother, my sister, to me, our children, my brother's children," she explained.
Mandhira denied any intention to exclude Priya Sachdev. "No one was trying to cut Priya out, she is the one who has done all this," she claimed. "No one was going to cut out of her bit of the family inheritance, but you don't take it all and walk away," Mandhira argued.
She revealed her parents' original intentions. "My father and mother never planned to give it to one child," Mandhira disclosed. "We are going to fight for what is my mother's first while she is alive. Everything was meant to be on her name, and that's what my dad wanted," she affirmed.
Connections with Karisma Kapoor and Legacy Concerns
Mandhira Kapur also discussed her relationship with Karisma Kapoor. She remains closely connected with Sanjay's former wife and their children, Samaaira and Kiaan.
She reflected on the family's emotional losses. "The kids have lost their best friend. My mother lost her son. It's very tough," Mandhira shared. "Everyone is going on about the money, but it's also about my father's legacy," she emphasized.
Mandhira challenged Priya Sachdev's narrative about the family business. "The whole story that she is doing about my father, that he ran down the company to the ground and my brother brought it up... no, the company was doing really well," she countered.
She concluded with a defiant stance. "Should I put a defamation against her now? You want to play this game? We can keep playing it. I have got nothing to lose," Mandhira declared.
