Late Sunjay Kapur’s sister Mandhira reflects on their ‘fallout’, says didn’t speak to him for 4 years: ‘Please learn from my story’; why it is crucial to mend differences

Industrialist Sunjay Kapur’s untimely demise following a heart attack allegedly triggered by a bee sting came as a shock. Days later, his sister Mandhira Kapur Smith has reflected upon her relationship with her sibling, where she regretted not having spoken to him in four years owing to “egos and natural bullishness”. “My brother and I may not have spoken for the last 4 years, a silly sibling squabble escalated to crazy levels due to egos and natural bullishness, however, that will never take back what we were and what we had,” she wrote in an emotional post on Instagram alongside a few pictures with both her siblings, including Sunjay.

“The phenomenal times we experienced, a privileged childhood of happiness with 2 wonderful parents, the secrets we would keep, the staying up late and sneaking out of the house even later, the stupid in-jokes that the 3 of us kept going for years, the hours of laughter we shared whilst others would stare at us in utter confusion. He always looked after me and my sister, a true big brother and a friend,” added Mandhira.

She admitted that what happened towards the end has been “both horrible and pointless”. “I will never have my moments with him again. We will never be us, and it is devastating that we didn’t fix what had become broken, and so now my heart is the same. I am sure he knew, despite our recent estrangement, that I loved him, and in my soul I am sure he shared the same hope as I, that one day we would be as amazing as we were for the first 47 years. Of this I am sure and take some small comfort,” said Mandhira.

Adding that she has to make peace with the “hard truth” of losing her brother, she continued: “I miss my dear brother, and to think I will never see him again in this life is a hard truth. I know he is now with Dad and one day we will all be together once more but it is not enough.”

She also urged everyone to resolve differences with their near and dear ones, as life is fragile. “To anyone and everyone who has fallen out with someone they love, be it family or friend, please learn from my story, life is fragile and delicate, each day is a gift, do not miss a day even an hour in some fickleness, you can never be assured that you will have the opportunity to repair the void and if you don’t, then that’s pretty much all that is left, coupled with regret. I would give anything to just see my bhaiya one last time and tell him how much I love him.”

Mandhira Kapur shared a few childhood pictures (Photo: Mandhira Kapur Smith/Instagram)

Here’s why it is crucial to mend differences.

Mandhira Kapur Smith’s deeply emotional tribute to her late brother Sanjay Kapur is a powerful reminder that unresolved pain doesn’t vanish with time, said Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist, energy healer, and life coach.

“A sibling quarrel had spiralled into silence, not because the love vanished, but because ego, hurt, and pride took up all the space where love used to flow freely. Yet, as she shared their childhood memories, laughter, and secrets that only siblings can truly understand, her grief was heavy not only with loss but with something far more haunting: the ache of an apology never spoken,” expressed Delnna.

Story continues below this ad

Also Read | All about Yutori, the Japanese concept to avoid burnout, and balance work, self-care

In her own experience, Delnna shared that she often meets people who carry the weight of estranged relationships. “Parents and children. Sisters. Friends. Marriages that slipped into a cohabiting silence. Siblings who stopped talking over a misunderstanding and somehow never found their way back. The pain is rarely about what happened. It’s almost always about what didn’t. The call never made. The apology was never said. The hug that never came. We live as though we’ll always have time. That someday we’ll fix what’s broken, reach out, explain, soften. But sometimes, life doesn’t wait for “someday.” And when someone is suddenly gone, what remains is not just grief, but regret,” said Delnna.

If your heart is hurting from a broken bond, here are a few healing steps that may help:

Reach out before you’re ready. Waiting for the perfect moment may cost you the only chance you have. Send a message. Write a note. Start small.
Forgive without a script. You don’t need the perfect apology to begin healing. Sometimes, your peace matters more than being right.
Reflect, don’t rehearse. Stop replaying what happened. Start asking: “What matters more to me—the past or the person?”
Grieve the relationship honestly. “Even if someone is alive, estrangement can feel like death. Acknowledge that pain instead of numbing it,” said Delnna.
Love people in real-time. Not just on birthdays or funerals. Say “I love you” even when it feels awkward. Hug tighter. Call first. Say sorry even if you stammer, mentioned Delnna.
Heal your ego. If pride is the wall, let softness be the bridge. Don’t let your ego mourn what your heart still wants to protect.

Relationships change. People change, too. But what often remains underneath it all is a bond worth fighting for, even if we fight with softer words, humbled hearts, and tearful courage.

From the homepage