Karisma Kapoor's marriage to Sunjay Kapur in 2003 was a high-profile event that garnered significant attention. However, years after their divorce in 2016, details surrounding their relationship and the circumstances leading to their marriage continue to resurface. In a throwback interview from 2003, Karisma revealed the reasons why she kept her marriage plans "under wraps".

According to Karisma, the decision to keep the wedding relatively private stemmed from a desire to be certain about the future. She stated, "Yes. I had to keep it under wraps until all of us were sure of what we wanted to do". She emphasized the long-standing connection between her family and Sunjay's, noting that their parents had been friends for many years. "Sunjay and my family have known each other for many, many years. We've been childhood friends. We've grown up together," she explained.

Karisma elaborated on the intertwined history of their families, revealing that her mother, Babita, and Sunjay's mother, Rani Kapur, had been friends since Babita was 18. She even shared an anecdote about her mother shooting one of her films, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, at her future mother-in-law's house. This deep-rooted connection led Karisma to describe their union as "almost like love was arranged into a marriage". She added that despite growing up and pursuing different paths, their childhood bond eventually transformed into a love story. "After all that I've been through in recent times, my parents have been keen for a while that I settle down. I've finally found the right man for me," Karisma said.

However, filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who worked closely with Karisma, offered a different perspective on their marriage. He described it as "abrupt," suggesting it was influenced by the emotional aftermath of her broken engagement with Abhishek Bachchan. Darshan noted that Karisma and Sunjay were not seen as a couple before their marriage, and the decision came as a surprise to many.

Darshan also questioned whether Karisma truly fit into Sunjay's world and the culture of Delhi. He believed that she sought a simple home life but struggled to adapt to the lifestyle she entered after marrying Sunjay. "She was placed into a world which was not hers. Delhi has its own culture and she wasn't fitting into it," Darshan stated. He contrasted Karisma's simplicity with the "palatial house with endless cars" that characterized her new environment.

The marriage between Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur ultimately ended in a messy divorce in 2016, with both parties making serious allegations against each other. Sunjay accused Karisma of marrying him for his money and labeled her an unsuitable wife and mother, while Karisma alleged domestic violence. Karisma's father, Randhir Kapoor, also voiced his disapproval of Sunjay, calling him a "third-class man" who "never cared for his wife".

Following Sunjay Kapur's death in June 2025, a family feud has erupted over his estate, estimated to be worth Rs 30,000 crore. Karisma and Sunjay's children, Samaira and Kiaan, have approached the Delhi High Court seeking their rightful share, alleging that their stepmother, Priya Sachdev Kapur, attempted to forge their father's will. The legal proceedings are ongoing, highlighting the complex family dynamics and unresolved issues surrounding Sunjay Kapur's legacy.