Who Will Lead Sona Comstar After Sunjay Kapur’s Demise?
The sudden demise of Sunjay Kapur, Chairman and Non-Executive Director of Sona Comstar, on June 12, 2025, sent shockwaves through India’s corporate and social circles. Kapur, aged 53, suffered a fatal heart attack while playing polo in London, leaving behind a Rs. 39,000 crore (approximately USD 4.7 billion) automotive components empire. As speculation swirls about who will steer Sona Comstar forward, this blog examines the likely leadership transition, the company’s future, and the inheritance of Kapur’s vast wealth.
Sunjay Kapur’s Legacy at Sona Comstar
Sunjay Kapur took over Sona Comstar in 2015 following the death of his father, Dr. Surinder Kapur, the company’s founder. Under his leadership, Sona Comstar transformed into a global leader in mobility technology, specializing in electric vehicle (EV) components like traction motors, starter motors, and differential gears. With nine factories across India, the U.S., China, Mexico, and Serbia, the company supplies major automakers, including Tesla, Maruti Suzuki, and Bajaj Auto. Kapur’s vision led to a successful 2021 IPO, aggressive R&D investments (Rs. 91.5 crore in FY21), and the 2023 acquisition of Serbian sensor firm Novelic, diversifying into safety technology. Despite a recent setback from China’s rare earth magnet export ban, Sona Comstar’s FY24 order wins reached Rs. 20,700 crore, with EVs accounting for 29% of its business.
The Leadership Question: Who Takes Over?
Sona Comstar announced that its board will meet to elect a new chairman in due course, emphasizing continuity under Managing Director and CEO Vivek Vikram Singh, who has led day-to-day operations since 2019. Singh, with over 35 years at Sona Group, is credited with driving the company’s EV pivot and operational stability. The company’s statement reassured stakeholders: “We have full faith in the management team’s ability to lead under the board’s supervision.”
Media reports, particularly from BollywoodLife, speculated that Sunjay’s sisters, Superna Kapur Motwane and Mandira Kapur Koirala, may lead the business. Superna is a magazine editor, while Mandira founded Sona Mandira Pvt Ltd (SMPL), an auto components firm, and had a legal dispute with Sunjay over the ‘Sona’ brand name. Mandira’s industry experience makes her a plausible candidate for a strategic role, but Superna’s involvement seems less likely given her non-automotive background. However, Sona Comstar’s professional governance structure, with independent directors like Jeffrey M. Overly and a seasoned CEO, suggests the board may prioritize existing management over family succession.
Sunjay’s children—Samaira (20) and Kiaan (14) with Karisma Kapoor, and Azarias with Priya Sachdev—are too young and inexperienced to assume leadership. Samaira, noted as an exceptional student, may join the business later, but no immediate plans exist.
Sunjay Kapur’s Wealth and Inheritance
Sunjay Kapur’s net worth was estimated at USD 1.2 billion (Rs. 10,300 crore). His estate is expected to pass primarily to his wife, Priya Sachdev, with provisions for his children. For Samaira and Kiaan, a Rs. 14 crore bond purchased post-2016 divorce generates Rs. 10 lakh monthly for their expenses, and a Khar property is in their names. Azarias, Sunjay’s son with Priya, and Priya’s daughter from her first marriage, whom Sunjay co-parented, may also inherit portions of his wealth, though details remain undisclosed.
The Cause of Death: Heart Attack or Bee Sting?
Sona Comstar’s official statement attributed Sunjay’s death to a sudden heart attack during a polo match. However, unverified reports from outlets like BollywoodShaadis claimed he swallowed a bee, triggering an allergic reaction and cardiac arrest. Eyewitnesses cited by NDTV denied the bee sting, affirming a heart attack as the cause. The Telegraph reported Sunjay’s last words as, “I swallowed something,” before collapsing. The bee sting narrative, while sensational, lacks corroboration from Sona Comstar or medical authorities, and his British citizenship delayed funeral arrangements in New Delhi.
Critical Perspective on Succession Speculation
The narrative that Sunjay’s sisters will lead Sona Comstar, prominent in media reports, appears speculative. Sona Comstar’s professional management and board-driven governance suggest a structured succession process, likely favoring Vivek Vikram Singh or an external appointee. Mandira’s auto industry expertise could position her for a board role, but Superna’s involvement seems improbable. The focus on family succession may reflect media fascination with Sunjay’s high-profile life, including his marriages to Karisma Kapoor (2003–2016), Nandita Mahtani (1996–2000), and Priya Sachdev (2017–2025), rather than corporate realities. The bee sting story, similarly, underscores a tendency for sensationalism over verified facts.
What’s Next for Sona Comstar?
Sona Comstar remains optimistic about its EV sector growth, despite a 2.2% revenue dip in Q4 FY25 due to a customer’s model transition. The company’s integration of its railway business in June 2025 and potential assembly operations in Mexico to mitigate U.S. tariffs signal resilience. The board’s upcoming chairman appointment will be critical, but Singh’s leadership and a robust order book provide stability. Sunjay’s vision for innovation and global expansion continues to guide the company, as CEO Singh noted: “Sunjay was the closest thing to a brother… his legacy will inspire us.”
Sona Comstar’s leadership transition is poised to favor professional management under CEO Vivek Vikram Singh, with the board set to appoint a new chairman. Speculation about Sunjay Kapur’s sisters, Mandira and Superna, leading the Rs. 39,000 crore empire lacks official backing, though Mandira’s expertise may warrant a role. Sunjay’s wealth secures his children’s future, particularly Samaira and Kiaan, while Priya Sachdev is the primary heir. The heart attack, not a bee sting, is the likely cause of his death, despite unverified claims. As Sona Comstar navigates this loss, its global stature and professional governance ensure continuity, honoring Sunjay’s transformative legacy.
Disclaimer: This blog is based on publicly available information from news reports and social media posts as of June 17, 2025. The content is rephrased for clarity while preserving the essence of the sources. Claims about leadership succession and the cause of death remain unconfirmed by Sona Comstar.
Source: News reports from CNBC TV18, Forbes, Fortune India, BollywoodShaadis, India.com, Financial Express, Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and posts on X.
