Who is Safira, Sunjay Kapur's stepdaughter, caught in the Rs 30,000 crore succession battle?

Sunjay Kapur died on 12 June 2025 while playing polo at Guards Polo Club in London. Witnesses say he collapsed shortly after exiting the field. Sources close to the family claim a bee sting to his throat caused a sudden heart attack. He was pronounced dead on site.

His passing, initially mourned as a tragic accident, quickly spiralled into something else entirely. A sprawling inheritance, unresolved legal claims, and growing unease around corporate appointments have pulled the curtain back on deep family fractures.

Who gets what: Sunjay Kapur's known heirs

Sunjay Kapur had three biological children. Two with actor Karisma Kapoor: daughter Samaira (20) and son Kiaan (14). A third, Azarius (6), was born to his current wife Priya Sachdev Kapur.


In addition, there’s Safira, Priya’s daughter from her previous marriage to hotelier Vikram Chatwal. Reports suggest Sunjay legally adopted her. That status, if verified, gives her equal footing with his biological children under Indian inheritance law. However, if adopted, she may no longer have a claim to her biological father's estate.

The legal standing of these relationships now defines who may inherit what from the vast Rs 30,000 crore fortune, which includes a key stake in Sona Comstar, held via the RK Family Trust.

Priya and Safira: Name changes stir the pot

Social media sleuths were quick to point out that both Priya and Safira appear to have changed their surnames online. Priya now goes by Priya Sunjay Kapur, while Safira has removed ‘Chatwal’ from her profile.

The timing of these name changes, coming just weeks after Sunjay’s death has set off speculation. Some online users saw it as strategic. One Reddit user posted, “This is all playing out like a corporate soap opera. First Priya changes her name, now her daughter? Looks like a calculated move in a bigger game.”

Others saw it differently. “Sunjay had legally adopted Safira. She has every right to honour him in her name,” said another commenter.

Samaira and Kiaan: Financially secured but not in control

Despite the 2016 divorce between Karisma and Sunjay, his children from that marriage appear to have been financially looked after. Media reports say Samaira and Kiaan were each given bonds worth Rs 14 crore and guaranteed a monthly income of Rs 10 lakh.

Karisma Kapoor was reportedly given a home that previously belonged to Sunjay’s father, Dr Surinder Kapur. A family source told ETimes, “The children will receive what is due to them. Karisma’s focus remains entirely on them.”

That same source also said, “Karisma Kapoor is not involved in any inheritance or property-related matters. She has no claim, nor is she seeking any share in the estate.”

Priya and Azarius: Heirs by law

As Sunjay’s wife at the time of his death, Priya is automatically entitled to a significant share of his estate in the absence of a will. Their son, Azarius, being his biological child, is also a direct legal heir.

Sunjay was the sole beneficiary of the RK Family Trust, which controls the promoter stake in Sona Comstar via Aureus Investments Pvt Ltd. This places both Priya and Azarius in a powerful legal position, especially if no formal will emerges.

Safira’s legal status remains unclear

If Sunjay legally adopted Safira, she is entitled to inherit. But this also complicates her relationship with her biological father, Vikram Chatwal, as Indian law prevents dual inheritance across biological and adoptive families.

There is no public record of a will, and without that, the decision may fall to the courts. Her Instagram shows no surname at present. Priya’s account now reads ‘Priya S Kapur’. Whether ‘S’ stands for Sunjay or Sachdev, observers have not stopped guessing.

Sunjay Kapur's mother Rani Kapur speaks out

Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, has publicly challenged recent developments within the company. She submitted a letter to SEBI and shareholders raising concerns about her treatment and the direction of the firm.

“I was emotionally shattered and coerced into signing documents I hadn't seen. This AGM is a betrayal of the family legacy,” she wrote, objecting to Priya’s appointment as non-executive director of Sona Comstar.

She also told ANI, “I still don’t know what happened to my son. I’m old now, and I need closure before I go.” She added, “Our family legacy must not be lost. It must be passed on as my husband always wanted it to be.”

The company responded firmly. It stated that Rani Kapur had not held shares in the firm since 2019 and that Priya’s appointment was made with shareholder approval and due process.

Sona Comstar is still moving, but shares take a hit

Following Sunjay’s death, Sona Comstar’s shares dropped by 7 percent, reflecting investor anxiety over the leadership vacuum and family discord. The firm has since appointed Jeffrey Mark Overly as its new chairman.

In a statement, the company said, “His vision, values, and dedication to excellence have left a lasting legacy for the company. We assure our customers, business partners, employees, and shareholders that our operations and prospects remain unchanged as we honour his legacy.”

Sunjay Kapur: Family, marriage, and divorce history

Sunjay Kapur married Karisma Kapoor in 2003. They had Samaira in 2005 and Kiaan in 2011. The couple separated in 2014 and divorced two years later, with Karisma retaining custody and Sunjay receiving visitation rights.

He later married Priya Sachdev, a model and entrepreneur. They had a son, Azarius, in 2018. Before both women, Sunjay was also briefly married to designer Nandita Mahtani.

Safira, born in 2007, is Priya’s daughter with Vikram Chatwal. The couple divorced in 2011. According to BollywoodShaadis, Sunjay legally adopted Safira under Indian law. She currently studies at Marlborough College in the UK and is said to be interested in international relations and geopolitics.

More than a month after Sunjay Kapur’s sudden death, the questions haven’t faded. If anything, they’ve become sharper. Who controls the empire? Is there a will? And what does this mean for Sona Comstar?

In the absence of clarity, the dispute may shift from whispers and statements to courtrooms. With money, control and family legacy at stake, this is one inheritance battle that won’t disappear quietly.