Not divorcing Karisma-Sanjay Kapur

Amid swirling rumours of a separation, the high-profile Delhi businessmen insist there is nothing wrong in their relationship

Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 26, 2012)

Nine years, two children, many controversies and seven years of living separate lives later Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapur's marriage is in the spotlight again. According to reports, the high-flying businessman and polo enthusiast is keen to end the marriage.

There have also been rumours of his 'friendship' with Delhi modelsocialite Priya Sachdev that may have affected the relationship. In a chat with Mirror, Sunjay summarily dismissed all this as "mere rumours, baseless speculation."

"Two years back these stories started doing the rounds. They were untrue then. Nothing has changed now," he said adding, "I wish people would stop discussing us, our lives. There are children involved."

Reacting to reports of his proximity to Priya Sachdev, with whom he has been socialising in Delhi and was spotted having dinner at a SoBo restaurant, he said: "There is nothing to it." Refuting claims that he has inititated the divorce proceeedings, he says,"I have done nothing.", adding, " I don't know who has been spreading these rumours."

So what gives? According to Sunjay's spokesperson, contrary to popular perception, he is still keen to make the marriage work: "Mr Kapoor wants Karisma back in Delhi. It is not easy for him to go on living alone It's been seven years." As for Priya, his spokesperson tells us: "She is just a good friend he hangs out with."

For Karisma, who has steadfastly refused to discuss her private life, this is not the first time that reports of a seperation have dogged her. Apparently, she came very close to ending her marriage two years ago, but backtracked after her estranged father Randhir Kapoor intervened.

At the time of going to press, a friend of Karisma called to allege, "If Sunjay seeks legal help to end the marriage, Lolo will also work towards a settlement that would ensure not just hers but her kids' futures as well." When Karisma got married to Sunjay in 2003, cynics had tut-tutted at the obvious mismatch.

The free-spirited and successful star, they said, was looking for stability in the wrong place. Even though Sunjay was everything a mother would look for in a son-in-law ' good looking, well-bred and well-heeled- his roving eye was always a problem. And despite Karisma's attempts at embracing her Delhi high-life, she was too homesick.

Besides, Karisma, who came from a broken home and was thrust into the limelight at a very early age, expected her husband to get domesticated. But that was not happening. The clash of cultures ' the great Delhi-Mumbai divide ' and Sunjay's lifestyle were too much for Karisma to deal with.

According to sources, despite Sunjay's insistence that she stay on in Delhi and give the marriage another shot, Karisma chose to return to her city of comfort instead. The relationship was still not over yet. The couple did try and make amends. And a second child was born to them in 2010, March.

"Lolo thought Sunjay would come back to her. But nothing changed," said the source, adding, "In fact, Sunjay allegedly started dating Priya when Karisma was pregnant with their second child."

A few months later, Karisma began consulting her lawyers for a legal separation. But retracted. But Sunjay says the story is quite different. "Why don't you ask Karisma what really happened then? She is a celebrity. If she is not saying anything, it is because this is none of anyone's business."