Sunjay Kapur: A Visionary Industrialist and Automotive Pioneer!

The Indian business landscape recently mourned the untimely passing of Sunjay Kapur, a prominent industrialist and the visionary Chairman of Sona Comstar. Kapur, aged 53, passed away on June 12, 2025, in England, reportedly due to a heart attack, which tragically occurred during a polo match and may have been triggered by accidentally swallowing a bee. Beyond his high-profile personal life, including his former marriage to actress Karisma Kapoor, Sunjay Kapur left an indelible mark on the automotive components industry, steering his company to global recognition and contributing significantly to India's manufacturing sector.

Early Life and Entry into the Automotive World

Born into an entrepreneurial lineage, Sunjay Kapur was the son of Dr. Surinder Kapur, a revered pioneer in India's auto components industry and the founder of the Sona Group in 1995. Sunjay pursued his higher education with a business degree from the University of Buckingham, followed by prestigious executive programs at Harvard Business School (OPM) and MIT, among others. These educational foundations equipped him with a global perspective and sharp business acumen.

He officially joined the family business in 1997, taking the reins of Sona Comstar as its managing director in 2015 after his father's passing. He later assumed the role of Chairman, continuing to build upon his father's legacy and transforming the company into a formidable global player. The name "Sona," meaning "gold" in Hindi, was reportedly inspired by his grandfather's jewelry business, reflecting a heritage of precision and value.

Leading Sona Comstar to Global Acclaim

Under Sunjay Kapur's dynamic leadership, Sona Comstar evolved into a global leader in mobility technology and a key supplier of precision automotive components. Headquartered in Gurugram, India, the company expanded its footprint significantly, establishing 12 manufacturing facilities and R&D operations across India, the USA, China, Mexico, and Serbia.

Kapur's strategic vision was particularly evident in his aggressive pivot towards the burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market. He positioned Sona Comstar at the forefront of this transition, making it a critical supplier of highly engineered, mission-critical systems and components for EVs, including traction motors and differential assemblies. This foresight contributed to the company's remarkable financial performance, with reported revenues of ₹35.5 billion (approximately $412 million) for the financial year ending March 2025, with EV components accounting for a substantial 36% of this revenue. As of early 2025, Sona Comstar's market capitalization reportedly exceeded ₹31,000 crore (approximately $3.7 billion), and Sunjay Kapur's personal net worth was estimated at $1.2 billion by Forbes, ranking him among the world's billionaires.

Influencing India's Automotive and Manufacturing Policy

Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Sunjay Kapur was a passionate advocate for the Indian automotive component industry. He played a pivotal role in shaping policy and fostering growth within the sector through his leadership positions in key industry bodies:

• President, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA): He served as President for the 2021-22 session, spearheading initiatives to drive technological adoption, promote localization, and encourage indigenous development towards an 'Atmanirbhar' (self-reliant) automotive ecosystem.
• Confederation of Indian Industry (CII): Kapur was highly influential within the CII, serving as Co-Chairman of the Manufacturing Council (2020–2022) and recently elected Chairman of the CII Northern Region for 2025-26. He championed policies for industrial growth, advocated for MSMEs, and promoted innovation and sustainability across various manufacturing sectors.
• He also served on the Board of Governors of his alma mater, The Doon School, India, and was the only Indian to have been elected Global Chairman of Entrepreneurs' Organization (2007-08).

A Legacy of Innovation and Leadership

Sunjay Kapur's sudden demise leaves a significant void in the business community. His vision for electrification, his commitment to manufacturing excellence, and his advocacy for industry growth have left a lasting impact. Tributes from colleagues and industry leaders highlight his boundless energy, strategic intellect, and compassionate leadership.

While his personal life, including his marriage to Karisma Kapoor and his subsequent marriage to Priya Sachdev, often garnered public attention, it was his profound contributions to business and industry that defined his professional legacy. Sunjay Kapur will be remembered as a true visionary who propelled Sona Comstar onto the global stage and tirelessly worked to advance the Indian automotive sector.