Sunjay Kapur's wife Priya Sachdev opens up about including Karisma Kapoor in family gatherings: 'I did wonder—would she feel comfortable? Would I?'

Time of India

9 hours ago

One month before Sunjay Kapur's untimely death, his wife Priya Sachdev opened up about her blended family with rare emotional honesty, touching upon her bond with
's children—Samaira and Kiaan—and how she has never tried to replace their mother.
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'I could never replace their mother,' Priya said in an interview with Kin and Kindness, acknowledging Karisma's role in their lives. Yet, what made her statement even more endearing was how she described their family unit: 'We have four children—Samaira is the eldest, then my daughter Safira, followed by Kiaan, and our youngest, Azarias.'
'Azarias became the glue that held us all together'
Priya revealed that her and Sunjay's little son, Azarias, has become the emotional anchor for the family.
As the half-brother to both Safira and Kiaan-Samaira, he helped close the emotional gap between step-siblings. 'Samaira and Safira have become very close since Azarias was born,' she shared. 'And Azarias absolutely adores his older brother, Kian.'
While acknowledging that both Samaira and Kiaan come from what society labels as 'broken homes,' Priya praised their emotional maturity. 'Their emotional intelligence is so high.
They've embraced this dynamic with open hearts.'
The rule that keeps the family bonded: two holidays a year
With the kids now growing up and leading independent lives, Priya shared the golden rule she and Sunjay follow to maintain closeness. 'We made it a family rule—two holidays a year, no matter what. One in summer, one in winter. The kids may want to spend New Year's with friends or boyfriends, but they know these family holidays matter.
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It's about keeping the thread intact.'
Family dinners are also sacred. 'That's when we talk about everything—values, the economy, education, friendships. Even things unsaid get communicated. That's how emotional resilience is built.'
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Including Karisma: 'Let's invite Lolo over for tea'
Priya also opened up about the efforts made to include Karisma Kapoor in family gatherings for the children's well-being. 'Sanjay and I had many conversations.
I told him—let's invite Lolo over for tea. That tea led to a dinner, and eventually, she joined us on family holidays because the kids requested it.'
She admitted that initially, it wasn't without hesitation. 'I did wonder—would she feel comfortable? Would I? Could I be myself in pajamas, sipping coffee? But after a few such gatherings, it all became very natural.'
'Why isn't Lolo in the picture?'
Perhaps the most touching anecdote came from their youngest, Azarias.
Priya shared that after a family holiday, they were making a New Year's card and he asked, 'Why isn't Lolo in the picture?' The innocence in his question reflected the emotional unity the family has managed to build. 'So I made a new one with her in it. He saw it and said, 'Okay, this is better, Mom.' That was a huge win for me.'
Sunjay Kapur died on June 12, following a tragic accident during a polo match in England. The auto tycoon accidentally swallowed a bee, triggering a severe allergic reaction that led to a fatal heart attack. His funeral was held in New Delhi seven days later, followed by two prayer meetings attended by family and close friends, including his ex-wife Karisma Kapoor and their children Samaira and Kiaan along with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan.