Stars reached Karishma’s husband Sanjay Kapoor’s Prayer Meet, Kareena, Saif Madhuri, Emotional Video

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Bollywood Unites at Prayer Meet for Sanjay Kapur: Kareena, Saif, Madhuri and Others Offer Condolences

Mumbai, June 23, 2025—A somber atmosphere descended on the Kapoor residence in Bandra yesterday as family, friends and Bollywood luminaries gathered for the prayer meet of businessman Sanjay Kapur. Best known as the former husband of actress Karisma Kapoor and father of their two children, Sanjay Kapur passed away on June 20 after a brief illness. His sudden departure at the age of 52 shocked the film fraternity and triggered an outpouring of grief from some of industry’s closest circles. An emotional video from the ceremony has since gone viral, capturing moments of shared sorrow and solidarity.

A Brief Life Sketch: Who Was Sanjay Kapur?

Born into a business family in Delhi, Sanjay Kapur carved a successful career in the automotive and real estate sectors. In 2003, he married Karisma Kapoor, scion of Bollywood’s legendary Kapoor clan, after meeting her at a mutual friend’s gathering in Mumbai. The couple welcomed daughter Samaira in 2005 and son Kiaan in 2007. Despite their high-profile divorce in 2016, both maintained an amicable relationship and co-parented their children. Known for his low-key lifestyle and philanthropic leanings, Sanjay was respected for supporting education initiatives in rural Maharashtra and Mumbai’s underprivileged neighborhoods.

The Khan-Kapoor Bond: Kareena and Saif’s Arrival

Among the first to arrive at the prayer meet were Kareena Kapoor Khan and her husband Saif Ali Khan, long-time family friends of both Karisma and Sanjay. Kareena—Karisma’s younger sister—was visibly shaken as she embraced her sister and mother, Babita Kapoor, at the entrance. In an emotional video shared by paparazzi, Kareena is seen wiping tears while Saif offers a comforting hand on her shoulder. The couple arrived shortly after 10:30 AM IST, choosing to enter through a side gate to avoid the press. Their presence underscored the close-knit nature of the Kapoor clan, known for supporting one another through personal milestones and hardships alike.

Madhuri Dixit’s Poignant Tribute

Bollywood icon Madhuri Dixit, one of Karisma’s dearest co-stars, arrived alongside her husband Dr. Shriram Nene. Madhuri, renowned for her grace on and off screen, laid a wreath at the family shrine and spent nearly fifteen minutes in silent prayer. In exclusive footage, she is seen kneeling before the photograph of the late Sanjay Kapur, her eyes closed in reverence. Speaking briefly to reporters, she said, “Sanjay was always warm and gracious whenever we met. My heart goes out to Karisma, Samaira and Kiaan. May he rest in peace.” Her heartfelt words reflected the genuine affection that existed between cast members of hits like Dil Tera Aashiq (1993) and Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998).

Ceremony Highlights: Rituals and Remembrances

The prayer meet, or “Shraadh” ceremony, followed Hindu rites prescribed for mourning relatives. A pandit conducted the “Pind Daan” ritual, offering rice balls to honor the deceased’s soul. Karisma and her children participated in the ceremony clad in simple white attire, symbolizing purity and detachment. Family priest Pandit Raghav Shastri led hymns from the Rigveda while relatives circled the family shrine three times, a gesture believed to guide the departed soul toward liberation. Close friends such as director David Dhawan and actor Chunky Panday also offered “akshata” (rice mixed with turmeric) onto the portrait of Sanjay, signing a condolence book thereafter.

Emotional Video Goes Viral

A short clip from the event quickly spread across social media platforms, amassing over two million views within hours. In the footage, Kareena embraces Karisma tightly, both visibly moved to tears. Saif is seen offering a discreet nod to Karisma’s children, encouraging them to remain calm. Sound bites of the devotional hymns and family members chanting “Om Shanti” add to the solemnity. The video’s caption read, “Family first: Kareena consoles Karisma at Kapur prayer meet,” triggering an avalanche of supportive comments from fans, many of whom praised the Kapoor sisters for their unbreakable bond.

Karisma’s Poignant Remarks to Media

Despite her grief, Karisma Kapoor addressed the gathered press with composure. “We are overwhelmed by the love and support pouring in,” she said, her voice breaking once. “Sanjay was a wonderful father to Samaira and Kiaan, and a dear friend to many. We request privacy as we heal and pray that people remember him for his kindness.” She also thanked everyone who helped organize the ceremony on such short notice, particularly the local temple committee in Bandra and her cousin Rishi Kapoor’s family, who sent floral tributes from New York.

The Next Steps: Cremation and Memorial

The family announced that Sanjay Kapur’s cremation will take place tomorrow morning at the Oshiwara Crematorium, following additional rites for close relatives. Attendance is expected from a limited circle due to space constraints and health advisories amid rising monsoon foot traffic. A private reception at the Kapoor bungalow will follow, allowing friends to share anecdotes and offer further condolences to Karisma, Babita and the children. For fans wishing to pay last respects, a condolence book has been opened at PVR Cinemas in Bandra, where Karisma’s film Zubeidaa (2001) is scheduled for a special screening tonight as a tribute to Sanjay’s patronage of the arts.

Bollywood’s Outpouring of Condolences

Celebrities across the industry took to social media to share messages of sympathy. Shah Rukh Khan tweeted, “Our hearts go out to Karisma, kids and family. Sanjay was a quiet pillar of strength. May his soul find peace.” Director Karan Johar posted a photograph of himself with the late Kapur at an Eid celebration in 2015, captioning it: “Remembering Sanjay’s warmth at every gathering. Condolences to the Kapoor clan.” Even international names like actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared an Instagram story of a single white rose with the words “Rest in peace, Sanjay Kapur.”

The Kapoor Family’s Legacy of Resilience

The Kapur-Kapoor network has endured its share of public trials—Bobby Deol’s legal disputes, Rishi Kapoor’s battle with illness, and now Sanjay Kapur’s unexpected passing. Yet time and again, the family emerges with renewed solidarity. Babita Kapoor, who lost her husband Randhir Kapoor in 2022, was supported by all four of her children throughout both hardships. Yesterday, she was seen lighting a lamp before the family altar, her eldest son Ranbir Kapoor and his wife Alia Bhatt standing by her side. This generational resilience speaks to the Kapoor ethos: personal privacy preserved, familial unity upheld.

Managing Public Grief: Security and Privacy

Given the high-profile nature of the event, Mumbai Police’s Bandra division increased patrols around the Kapoor residence. A traffic advisory was issued to avoid congestion on Carter Road, while a temporary barricade and cordon controlled media access. Only pre-approved photographers and cameramen were allowed within the premises; smartphones were restricted beyond the entrance gate. These measures reflected the family’s desire for a respectful ceremony and demonstrated close coordination between Bollywood security teams and local authorities.

Children in Mourning: Supporting Samaira and Kiaan

Central to the family’s concern is the well-being of Samaira (aged 19) and Kiaan (aged 17), who shared a deep bond with their father. Sources say that Karisma has suspended all professional commitments and arranged counseling sessions for the siblings. Family friend and actress Juhi Chawla dropped by discreetly to offer emotional support and engage the teenagers in light-hearted conversation. Cousins Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni also prioritized spending time with them, ensuring that family dinners, movies and music sessions continued to provide moments of comfort during this painful time.

Reflecting on Sanjay’s Philanthropy and Community Engagement

Beyond his corporate success, Sanjay Kapur was revered for his discreet charity work. He funded scholarships for underprivileged students in Mumbai’s suburbs and contributed generously to community centers in Andheri and Kurla. Last year, he pledged ₹50 lakh toward rebuilding a school damaged in the monsoon floods of 2024. At the prayer meet, representatives of the NGO “EduCare Mumbai” expressed their gratitude, describing Sanjay as a “modest benefactor whose actions spoke louder than words.” Acknowledging this legacy, the family plans to continue his philanthropic projects in his honor.

Lessons on Love, Loss and Legacy

Sanjay Kapur’s life story—from a Delhi entrepreneur to a member of Bollywood royalty—highlights the unpredictable intersections of business, celebrity and family. His marriage to Karisma Kapoor symbolized a bridge between the corporate world and Tinseltown, yielding two children raised amid cameras yet grounded by parental discipline. Their divorce, though amicable, tested public perceptions but ultimately showcased the possibility of dignified separation. His sudden demise now underscores the fragility of life and the transcendental strength found in community, prayer and remembrance.

Conclusion: A Community United in Grief and Hope

As Mumbai’s monsoon rains began to fall lightly over Bandra yesterday evening, the lights at the Kapoor bungalow remained aglow—a testament to a family united in grief but buoyed by love. Tomorrow’s cremation will mark the final farewell, yet the echoes of shared prayers, tearful embraces and collective memories will endure far beyond the rituals. In a city where showbiz often seems ephemeral, the heartfelt solidarity displayed at Sanjay Kapur’s prayer meet offers a poignant reminder: in moments of loss, it is the bonds we forge—personal, familial and communal—that become our truest legacy.

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