Rishi Kapoor, a veteran Bollywood actor, once expressed his annoyance over producers and directors constantly reaching out to him for an introduction to his son, Ranbir Kapoor. During an appearance on Aap Ki Adalat, Rishi revealed that it used to irritate him when people asked him to talk to Ranbir on their behalf. He clarified that as Ranbir’s father, he could not make decisions for his son’s career, as they belonged to different generations.
When host Rajat Sharma asked whether it bothered him when people inquired about Ranbir, Rishi said, “No, it’s a matter of pride when people ask about Ranbir. However, it saddens me when producers call me and ask for an introduction. I always tell them, ‘I am Ranbir’s father, not his secretary. If you want to discuss a film, talk to him directly, not through me.’”
Rishi Kapoor also opened up about his initial reservations regarding some of Ranbir’s film choices. He admitted that if he had been making decisions, Ranbir would have never done Barfi! because he didn’t understand how a film could work with a character who was mute and deaf. “If I had made the decision, I would have said, ‘What kind of film is this?’ But my thinking would have been completely wrong for this generation. I told Ranbir that he would grow and learn on his own, and while some films might not work, he would build his own experience and foundation.”
Rishi Kapoor passed away at the age of 67 in April 2020 after a two-year battle with cancer. His immense contribution to Indian cinema is remembered fondly by fans, and his words about Ranbir highlight the support and respect he had for his son’s career decisions, even when they differed from his own views.
