Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL DESK :The Businessman Sunjay Kapur—best known as the ex-husband of Bollywood actress Karisma Kapoor—passed away on Friday after suffering a heart attack reportedly triggered by an allergic reaction to a bee sting. The incident occurred during a high-profile polo match in Jaipur, leaving spectators and family members in shock.

According to eyewitnesses present at the Rambagh Polo Grounds, Kapur, 54, was mid-game when he suddenly collapsed from his horse. Moments earlier, those close to him say he had unknowingly swallowed a bee that had flown into his mouth while galloping across the field. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital but was declared dead on arrival. Preliminary medical reports suggest that he went into anaphylactic shock, which caused cardiac arrest.

The Kapur family released a brief statement confirming the death and requesting privacy during this difficult time. “With deep sorrow, we confirm the untimely passing of our beloved Sunjay. He was a loving father, son, and friend. We ask for understanding and privacy as we grieve,” it read.

Sunjay Kapur was a prominent industrialist and chairman of Sona Comstar, a leading name in the automotive technology sector. Known for his passion for polo and high society events, he was a familiar face in elite circles. Despite being out of the entertainment spotlight in recent years, his name continued to draw public interest due to his high-profile marriage and subsequent divorce from actress Karisma Kapoor.

The couple married in 2003 and had two children before filing for divorce in 2014, which was finalized two years later after a prolonged and public legal battle. Karisma has remained largely silent on the matter of their relationship since the split. However, sources close to the actress have confirmed that she has been informed of Sunjay’s sudden demise and is deeply shaken.

The circumstances surrounding the death have also sparked discussions about the dangers of untreated allergies and the lack of immediate emergency response in open-air sporting events. Medical experts believe the bee Kapur swallowed may have stung the inside of his throat, triggering a severe allergic reaction. “In such cases, the airways can swell rapidly, and without immediate administration of epinephrine, it becomes fatal within minutes,” explained Dr. Rajesh Chawla, an emergency medicine specialist.

The Jaipur Polo Club expressed their condolences and said they were “deeply saddened by the loss of one of the most ardent supporters of Indian polo.” A moment of silence was observed at the ground later in the day, and the ongoing tournament has been suspended for the weekend.

Social media was flooded with tributes from industrialists, sports personalities, and a few Bollywood celebrities who remembered Sunjay as a passionate sportsman and a generous figure in philanthropic circles. Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma’s sister, reportedly cut short a shooting schedule to return to Mumbai to be with the family.

Sunjay is survived by his two children, his wife Priya Sachdev Kapur—whom he married in 2017—and his extended family. Funeral arrangements are being made and are expected to be held in Delhi with close friends and family in attendance.

What was meant to be a day of sport and celebration turned into a sobering reminder of life’s unpredictability. For those who knew Sunjay Kapur, it was not just the loss of a businessman or a sportsman—it was the loss of a man who lived life in full stride, until fate brought it to a sudden halt.