In a poignant and candid interview, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has opened up about the troubled and tumultuous relationship he shared with his late father, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor. Known for their onscreen charisma and offscreen friction, the father-son duo had a relationship marked by distance and emotional gaps. The actor shared that it was during Rishi Kapoor’s final days that the two came somewhat closer, yet Ranbir confesses that he still hasn’t fully processed his father’s demise.
In a revealing conversation with Nikhil Kamath for the show “People by WTF” on YouTube, Ranbir shared intimate details about the last moments with his father and the emotional turmoil he endured. He divulged that despite the gravity of the situation, he stopped crying early on, even when Rishi Kapoor passed away. “I stopped crying very early on. I didn’t even cry when my father passed away,” Ranbir said, shedding light on his internal struggle.
Reflecting on that fateful night in the hospital, Ranbir recounted how a doctor informed him that it was going to be Rishi Kapoor’s last night. “When I was spending the night at the hospital, the doctor told me, ‘This is his last night, he is going to go anytime soon.’ I remember going up to the room and having a panic attack. I didn’t know how to express myself; there was too much happening to take in. But I don’t think I have grieved or understood the loss,” he expressed. This revelation brings to the fore the often understated complexities of dealing with imminent loss and emotional expression.
As the actor continued, he spoke about the inherent guilt he feels over not being able to reconcile fully with his father. Their differences had long been a subject of speculation and public discussion. Recalling a year they spent together in New York during Rishi Kapoor’s treatment, Ranbir shared a telling episode where the seasoned actor broke down in tears, exposing an uncharacteristic vulnerability. “I was there for 45 days, and one day he came and started crying.
. He had never shown that kind of weakness to me. It was so awkward for me because I didn’t know if I should hold him or hug him. At that moment, it dawned on me just how distant we really were,” Ranbir said, showing how even fleeting moments can lay bare unresolved emotions and regrets.
Ranbir went on to confess his remorse for not having the grace to bridge the emotional chasm between them. “I feel guilty that I didn’t have the grace to let go of the distance between us and go and hug him, give him some love,” he admitted, grappling with the societal expectation of stoic masculinity.
The actor also touched on the pressure he felt to be strong for his family in the wake of Rishi Kapoor’s passing. “You are also brought up a certain way where you’re told, ‘Now you are responsible,’ and then certain things play on your mind. I have my mother, sister, wife, a child, and my father passes away… Can I show my weakness? I don’t know what it is, but I just didn’t show it,” Ranbir added, shedding light on the often invisible and unspoken burden of maintaining a facade of strength during periods of family crisis.
Switching gears, the actor also spoke about his recent and upcoming projects in the film industry. Ranbir Kapoor was most recently seen in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s film ‘Animal’. Despite the film’s potential, it faced considerable backlash due to its perceived misogynistic and problematic portrayals. Not one to be deterred by controversy, Ranbir is currently working on multiple high-profile projects. He is in the midst of shooting for Nitish Tiwari’s ‘Ramayana,’ a film that also stars Sai Pallavi and Yash. Additionally, he will once again share screen space with Alia Bhatt in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s ‘Love and War.’
Although Ranbir Kapoor’s professional life continues to flourish, this interview provides a haunting glimpse into the personal trials he endures, echoing the complexity of human relationships and the lingering shadows of unresolved grief. Despite the glamour and sheen of Bollywood, it is clear that behind the scenes, the complications of real-life emotions persist, reminding us of the universality of love, regret, and the intricate dance of familial bonds.
