Filmmaker Suneel Darshan has spoken about one of Bollywood’s most discussed relationships, recalling the breakup of Karisma Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan and sharing his experience from that time. The filmmaker revealed that he was present at Karisma’s home when the couple’s engagement was called off. He also admitted that he was surprised by how quickly things changed afterwards, especially when Karisma later married businessman Sunjay Kapur.
Speaking to Hindi Rush, Darshan looked back at his association with Karisma Kapoor during that phase of her life. The filmmaker had worked with her in films including Jaanwar, Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya and Ek Rishtaa: The Bond of Love. He said he had witnessed the relationship between Karisma and Abhishek develop over time and believed they were serious about their future together.
According to Darshan, the couple had already decided to get married while Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya was being planned. Talking about their relationship, he said, “Their relationship had started even before Ek Rishtaa began and it kept growing deeper. By the time I planned Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya, it had already been decided that they would get married. They were an attractive pair, Amitabh Bachchan’s son and Raj Kapoor’s granddaughter. Ironically, the only film they were destined to do together was Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya.”
Recalling the day their engagement ended, Darshan said he happened to be with Karisma’s family when the news came. He said, “Coincidentally, I was at Karisma’s house when the engagement was called off. It’s unfortunate that the wedding was called off. I don’t think anyone can fully analyse the backlash or emotional turmoil that followed. Then she went to Bangkok for New Year’s celebrations, and suddenly I heard she was going to marry Sunjay. I never understood that decision.”
The filmmaker also said that he does not believe anyone should be blamed for the breakup. He explained that relationships are personal and outsiders cannot fully understand the reasons behind such decisions. He said, “People blame Babita ji, Jaya ji, Karisma or Abhishek, but I think these things should be left to destiny. They had a fiery relationship. Love manifests differently for different couples, and every relationship has its own dynamic. There were a lot of disagreements between the two.”
Karisma Kapoor and Abhishek Bachchan made their relationship public during Amitabh Bachchan’s 60th birthday celebrations in 2002 and got engaged soon after. However, their engagement ended in early 2003. Neither family has publicly revealed the exact reason behind the separation.
Later, Karisma Kapoor married Sunjay Kapur on September 29, 2003, in a Sikh wedding ceremony. The couple had two children, Samaira and Kiaan, before separating. Their divorce was finalised in 2016 after a long legal process. Sunjay later married Priya Sachdev in 2017 and had a son named Azarias. Sunjay Kapur passed away on June 12, 2025, in England while playing polo at the age of 53.