In a candid and emotional revelation, Mandhira Kapur, the sister of the late industrialist Sunjay Kapur, has opened up about the ongoing family disputes following her brother's passing. Speaking on the InControversial Podcast, Mandhira addressed the high-profile divorce between Sunjay and Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor, the subsequent marriage to Priya Sachdev Kapur, and the bitter legal battle over the family's vast estate.
A 'Bad Divorce', Not a Bad Marriage
Mandhira Kapur directly confronted the circulating rumors about her brother's character and his relationship with his first wife, Karisma Kapoor. She vehemently denied claims that Sunjay was a womanizer who mistreated Karisma during their marriage, which lasted from 2003 to 2016. "He didn't treat Lolo (Karisma's nickname) badly," Mandhira stated. "Yes, they had a bad divorce. All divorces are bad. Show me one divorce that's not."
She appealed for respect for her late brother, emphasizing that he never hid his nature from anyone, including his third wife, Priya Sachdev. Mandhira described the current situation as a painful period for the family, urging people to stop maligning the children, the ex-wife, and the sisters involved.
Karisma Kapoor Was My Best Friend
In a surprising and heartfelt disclosure, Mandhira revealed the depth of her past relationship with Karisma Kapoor. She called the actress her "best friend" and disclosed that Karisma had even been the "best man" at her wedding. She painted a picture of a once-united family, stating, "Lolo and my brother got together on my honeymoon. We've always been a family."
This statement serves as a direct counter to Priya Sachdev's public description of their situation as a "blended family." Mandhira dismissed this notion as a "blatant lie," asserting that the concept only appeared after Priya entered their lives. She claimed that her mother has always remained in touch with her grandchildren—Samaira and Kiaan, Karisma and Sunjay's children.
Regret, Inheritance, and an Unresolved Grief
Mandhira Kapur expressed profound regret over one specific decision: convincing her father to approve of Sunjay's marriage to Priya Sachdev. "I feel like a fool to have done that," she confessed, adding that she believes she wronged Karisma Kapoor in the process. She claimed that Priya's demeanor changed completely after the marriage and that her father "couldn't stand" Priya and never wanted her to be part of the family.
The conversation inevitably turned to the contentious issue of Sunjay Kapur's inheritance, estimated to be worth a staggering Rs 30,000 crore. Mandhira was unequivocal about the rights of her brother's biological children. She stated that while Priya's daughter from a previous marriage, Safira, was loved, she would "always remain his stepchild," whereas Samaira and Kiaan have the primary claim to their father's legacy.
Amidst the legal wrangling, Mandhira revealed that the family has been unable to properly grieve Sunjay's death in June. She described her life as a "roller-coaster" since his passing, focused on court battles and caring for her mother, who is in "severe shock." "We haven't had the time and space to acknowledge it. But when it hits, it hits me really hard," she shared, highlighting the deep personal pain underlying the very public feud.
