Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor opened up about his complex, emotionally layered relationship with his late father, veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, during a special episode of the quiz reality show Kaun Banega Crorepati, aired on 3 November. In a candid conversation with megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Ranbir revealed that his father was rarely satisfied with the films and characters he chose throughout his career.

The Moment That Sparked the Revelation

The emotional exchange began when Amitabh Bachchan reflected on his long association with Rishi Kapoor and turned to Ranbir with a telling question: had there ever been an occasion when Rishi ji appreciated his son's work? Bachchan put it to Ranbir in his own words: 'Ranbir, ek chhote balak ki tarah humne aapko dekha hai... Aisa kabhi koi aisa wakya hua jahan par Rishi ji ne aapke kaam ki sarahna ki ho?' ('Ranbir, we have seen you since you were a little child... Has there ever been an occasion when Rishi ji appreciated your work?')

The question visibly moved Ranbir, who paused before responding with characteristic candour.

What Ranbir Said About Rishi Kapoor's Disapproval

Recalling films such as Wake Up Sid, Rocket Singh, Barfi, and Tamasha, Ranbir said his father struggled to understand his artistic choices. In his own words: 'I think jab papa meri filmein dekhte the... toh woh kabhi meri choices se ya mere kirdar se itne khush nahi the. Unhe samajh nahi aata tha ki ye kya tu film kar raha hai?'

('I think when my father watched my films, he was never entirely happy with my choices or the characters I portrayed. He couldn't understand what kind of films I was doing.')

Ranbir went further, invoking a famous saying attributed to his great-grandfather, legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor — 'Kala desh ki seva mein' ('Art is in the service of the nation') — to explain his father's line of questioning. Rishi Kapoor, he said, would ask: 'Tu kaun se desh ki seva kar raha hai? Tu matlab main tier-one cities ke liye film bana raha hoon, kiske liye bana raha hoon?' ('Which nation are you serving? You are making films for tier-one city audiences — who exactly are you making them for?')

Ranbir admitted that at the time, he did not fully grasp what his father was trying to convey. 'As an actor, I was simply following what came naturally to me. I had an individualistic approach, and I was doing the characters that I understood,' he said.

A Relationship Described as 'Sweet and Sour'

The candid admission is consistent with what both father and son had previously said in interviews — that their relationship was warm but complicated, often described as a 'sweet and sour' equation. Rishi Kapoor, who came from the commercially dominant Kapoor film dynasty, reportedly held strong views on cinema's reach and mass appeal, views that at times clashed with his son's more niche, character-driven approach.

Notably, several of the films Rishi dismissed — including Barfi and Wake Up Sid — went on to earn critical acclaim and a loyal following, even if their box-office footprints were modest compared to mainstream blockbusters.

Remembering Rishi Kapoor

Rishi Kapoor passed away in April 2020 after a prolonged battle with cancer. He was one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated romantic leads, with a career spanning nearly five decades. His absence has been a recurring theme in Ranbir's public appearances, with the actor frequently crediting his father's influence — however unspoken — on his own understanding of craft and audience.

As Ranbir continues to evolve as one of Bollywood's most versatile actors, moments like these on Kaun Banega Crorepati offer a rare, unguarded look at the pressures and expectations that come with carrying one of Indian cinema's most storied surnames.