The late Rishi Kapoor, an icon in Indian cinema, left a lasting impact with his roles in classics like ‘Bobby’ and ‘Chandni.’ Despite his cinematic success, a nuanced relationship existed between him and his son, Ranbir Kapoor. In an interview, Ranbir revealed his childhood fear of his father, particularly regarding discipline and his acting career. Rishi Kapoor, in his biography, expressed regret over the emotional distance between them, admitting to missing out on a closer bond. He acknowledged Ranbir’s closer relationship with his mother, Neetu Kapoor, lamenting that he couldn’t be as friendly with his son as he was brought up to believe a father should be. When Rishi was diagnosed with cancer in 2018, Neetu Kapoor recalled how Ranbir reacted emotionally but bravely faced the situation. Rishi’s demise in April 2020 left a void in the lives of many, highlighting the complexity of family dynamics even in the spotlight.
The late actor
Rishi Kapoor
, renowned in Indian cinema, captivated audiences for decades. Known for his boyish charm in movies like ‘Bobby’ and ‘Khel Khel Mein,’ he transitioned to heartfelt roles in ‘Saagar’ and ‘Prem Rog.’ His versatility shone in classics like ‘Kabhi Kabhie,’ ‘Karz,’ and ‘Chandni.’
However, beyond his cinematic success, a complex relationship existed between Rishi Kapoor and his son,
Ranbir Kapoor
.
Despite Rishi’s talent and popularity, a certain distance marked their bond.
In an old interview with Rajeev Masand, Ranbir shared that when he was young, he was scared of his dad, Rishi. Whenever Rishi told him to eat veggies, Ranbir would cry. He also said that when he first started acting, he was afraid of how his dad would react.
In an interview, Rishi Kapoor talked about a regret he had regarding his relationship with his son, Ranbir Kapoor. He also expressed his feelings about their bond. In Rishi Kapoor’s biography, titled ‘Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored,’ he penned about his relationship with Ranbir. He mentioned feeling sorry for not being closer friends with him.
He stated, “The distance that exists between us is similar to the one between my father and me. Ranbir and I see each other through this space but can’t feel each other. At least, I can’t. There are times when I feel I’ve missed out on being a friend to my son.”
In the same part, Rishi Kapoor talked about how Ranbir is closer to his mother,
Neetu Kapoor
, than to him. He expressed that Ranbir shares a friendship with Neetu Kapoor, but not with him. He added, “I was a strict father because I was brought up to believe that’s how a father should be. In one of his interviews, Ranbir said, ‘My father is not a friend. He is a father. I can’t backslap him and joke around with him.’ He is a friend to Neetu but not to me, and that’s something I deeply regret.”
In an interview from the past, Neetu Kapoor shared how Ranbir Kapoor reacted upon learning about Rishi Kapoor’s cancer diagnosis in 2018. Neetu Kapoor explained that when they received the news about Rishi Kapoor’s cancer, Ranbir Kapoor was away. Upon his return, she sat him down and conveyed the situation, which left both of them emotional. Neetu broke down as she shared the news. Initially, Ranbir struggled to accept it, but eventually, he gathered himself and confronted the reality. The following day, he traveled to Delhi to accompany his father back, and together they flew to New York for Rishi Kapoor’s treatment.
On April 30, 2020, Rishi Kapoor passed away at the age of 68 after battling cancer. His death left a big emptiness in the lives of his friends, fans, and family.
