Though she largely stepped away from film after the early 2000s to focus on her personal life, Karisma remained in the public eye through television, endorsements, and brief returns to acting. She also carved a niche as a fashion icon and mother. In recent years, she has earned renewed attention due to developments involving her ex-husband’s estate and her children’s inheritance, bringing her family life back into the spotlight.
Early Life
Karisma Kapoor was born into the legendary Kapoor family of Bollywood, the daughter of actors Randhir Kapoor and Babita, and the granddaughter of Raj Kapoor. Her younger sister, Kareena Kapoor Khan, is also a successful actress. Karisma attended the Cathedral and John Connon School in Mumbai and later studied at Sophia College. Inspired by her family’s cinematic legacy, she decided to pursue acting at a young age despite initial resistance from some family members who were wary of women in the profession.
Film Career
Karisma made her film debut in 1991 at the age of 17 with “Prem Qaidi.” While her early films had modest success, she quickly evolved into one of the decade’s most popular actresses. Her breakout came with the 1996 blockbuster “Raja Hindustani,” opposite Aamir Khan, for which she won her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. The film was both a commercial juggernaut and a turning point in her career. She followed it with a string of successful films, including “Jeet,” “Judwaa,” “Hero No. 1,” and “Biwi No. 1.” In 1997, she starred in Yash Chopra’s “Dil To Pagal Hai,” a performance that earned her the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued to earn praise for more dramatic roles in “Fiza” (2000) and “Zubeidaa” (2001), both of which brought her additional Filmfare nominations. After her marriage in 2003, Karisma took a break from acting, appearing only sporadically in films and television. Her 2012 comeback vehicle “Dangerous Ishhq” failed to revive her film career, but she remained active in commercials, reality television, and public events.
Personal Life
Karisma Kapoor married Delhi-based industrialist Sunjay Kapur in 2003. The marriage faced significant turmoil over the years, with public reports of incompatibility, legal disputes, and domestic strife. The couple filed for divorce by mutual consent in 2014, which was finalized in 2016. That same year, Karisma filed a domestic violence case against Sunjay and his mother, Rani Kapur. They have two children together: a daughter, Samaira, and a son, Kiaan. Following the divorce, Karisma largely withdrew from the spotlight to focus on raising her children in Mumbai. Despite maintaining privacy around her personal life, she remained a visible and respected figure in Indian popular culture.
Sunjay Kapur Estate Inheritance
In June 2025, Sunjay Kapur died unexpectedly from cardiac arrest while playing polo. At the time of his death, he was the Chairman of Sona Comstar Group, an automotive components company valued at approximately $3.6 billion. Reports estimated Sunjay’s total estate to be worth around ₹30,000 crore, or roughly $3.6 billion USD. Following his death, speculation arose regarding Karisma Kapoor’s potential claim to a portion of his vast estate. However, multiple sources close to the family publicly confirmed that Karisma is not involved in any property or inheritance matters. She has no legal or financial claim to Sunjay’s assets and is not seeking a share of his fortune. Her sole concern, according to these reports, is the well-being of her children. The legal heirs to Sunjay’s estate are their two children, Samaira and Kiaan. Despite the clarity around their status as heirs, the inheritance process may be complicated by a developing family dispute. Sunjay’s mother, Rani Kapur, issued a statement asserting that she holds the majority stake in Sona Comstar and is the rightful legal heir to his assets.
