In a recent interview, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor opened up about his relationship with his late father, Rishi Kapoor. Known for his typically reserved nature, Ranbir delved into the complexities and challenges they faced as father and son.
Speaking with entrepreneur Nikhil Kamath, Ranbir shared that his childhood was marked by fear and distance from his father. Despite coming from a privileged background, he emphasized that he was raised with discipline and groundedness.
Read more: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt’s Daughter to Own Mumbai’s Most Expensive Bungalow
“I believe my father was a short-tempered man, but he was a good man,” Ranbir said, “He was somebody who loved his family, work, food, and alcohol. He was a very open person. He could speak up his mind.”
The actor shared a memory of his parents’ turbulent relationship, often witnessing their arguments from the staircase of their bungalow. “I have never seen the colour of his eyes, I was extremely scared,” he confessed. The constant tension at home took a toll on the young Ranbir, leaving him feeling responsible and on edge.
The actor’s portrayal of an obsessive character in his upcoming film, Animal, has drawn parallels to his own relationship with his father. However, Ranbir clarified that while his character was obsessed, he was primarily scared of his father. He explained, “He never shouted at us, never raised his hand at us, but just because around us his temperament was so volatile that it always scared me.”
Read more: Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt Introduce Daughter Raha at Christmas Lunch
The absence of his elder sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, who was studying abroad at the time, during these tumultuous times intensified Ranbir’s feelings of responsibility. He shared that his mother often confided in him about her struggles, while his father remained more reserved. “My father wasn’t that expressive. I never understood or heard his point of view,” the actor said.
Despite the challenges, Ranbir acknowledged a transformative period in their relationship when Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer. Witnessing his mother’s selfless care for his father fostered a newfound respect and understanding. “I saw the selfless service my mother was doing for him and that kind of love was something which I probably at that time couldn’t have imagined,” he shared.
Before collaborating with Sanjay Leela Bhansali on Black (2005), Ranbir Kapoor assisted his late father, the legendary actor Rishi Kapoor, on his directorial debut, Aa Ab Laut Chalein (1999), a romantic drama starring Akshaye Khanna and Aishwarya Rai.
On Nikhil Kamath’s podcast People by WTF, Ranbir candidly shared his thoughts on his father’s directorial skills. He admitted, “I did a little bit of assisting on a film called Aa Ab Laut Chalein, which didn’t work. My father directed that film. I realized that my father is a terrific actor, but he’s not that good a director because he doesn’t have the temperament. He’s short-tempered.”
Ranbir elaborated on the demanding nature of directing, saying, “It’s very hard. It’s a selfless job to be a good director because you’re doing everyone’s job but giving them the credit for it. You are the boss on set, and any decision is your decision. They come to you for everything, from color and lensing to lighting and performance. So you’re kind of playing God in a way. My father wasn’t cut out for that.”