Ranbir Kapoor reveals Amitabh Bachchan flew to Switzerland to watch Abhishek's basketball games
Synopsis
Ranbir Kapoor's appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati yielded one of the most personal Bachchan family revelations in recent memory — that Amitabh would fly to Switzerland just to watch Abhishek's school basketball game for two hours, then board another flight straight back to the studio. It is a rare window into a family that has rarely let the cameras in this close.
Key Takeaways
Ranbir Kapoor revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that Amitabh Bachchan would fly to Switzerland to watch Abhishek Bachchan's school basketball matches during his studies there.
Amitabh would watch the game for two hours before flying straight back to the studio to resume work.
Amitabh Bachchan responded on air, saying love and a sense of duty come together naturally — 'jab prem hota hai toh kartavya bhi hota hai.' The senior actor also said he never criticised Abhishek when his films underperformed, reasoning that enough criticism already came from outside.
The exchange took place on the sets of KBC , hosted by Amitabh Bachchan himself.
Ranbir Kapoor has revealed a touching story about Amitabh Bachchan's dedication as a father, sharing how the veteran superstar would fly to Switzerland just to watch son Abhishek Bachchan's school basketball matches — and then immediately fly back to the studio to continue work. The anecdote surfaced during Ranbir's appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC), hosted by Amitabh himself.
What Ranbir Kapoor Said on KBC
Recounting what Abhishek had shared with him over the years, Ranbir told Amitabh on the show: 'Aur Abhishek mujhe hamesha kehta tha ki jab woh Switzerland mein padh raha tha aur aap itne busy the... koi bhi agar ek important event ho uski life mein... ek basketball game ho, school ka basketball game ho, aap flight leke wahan pahunch jaate the, do ghanta basketball game dekhkar flight leke wahan wapas direct studio jaate the.'
In essence, Ranbir described how Abhishek Bachchan, while studying in Switzerland, would see his father make time — no matter how packed his shooting schedule — for every significant moment in his life. A two-hour school basketball game was reason enough for Amitabh to board a flight.
Amitabh Bachchan's Response: 'Love Brings Duty Naturally'
Responding to Ranbir on air, Amitabh Bachchan said a father's duty is to inspire and encourage his children, adding that love and responsibility are inseparable. 'Yeh pita ke nate hamara kartavya banta hai ki jo santaan ho unko prerna di jaye... agar unko achha lagne wala hai paanch minute ke liye bhi toh hum pahunch jayenge wahan,' he said — meaning that even five minutes of happiness for one's child justifies the effort to be present.
Notably, he reflected on how the father-son dynamic has evolved across generations, acknowledging that an earlier era often saw emotional distance between fathers and sons — a gap he sought to bridge with Abhishek.
On Supporting Abhishek Through Career Setbacks
The conversation also touched on how Amitabh Bachchan handled phases when Abhishek's films did not perform well at the box office. The senior actor said he consciously chose never to criticise his son, reasoning that the outside world already delivers enough harsh judgement.
'Alochana dekhiye karne ke liye bahut sare hazaron karodon log baithe hue hain... agar ek aur ghar mein aa jayega alochak toh achha nahi lagta... humne bas kewal aashirwad diya ki koi baat nahi ye aaj film nahi chali hai, aage aur bhi filmein aayengi,' he said — a sentiment that translates to: when millions are ready to criticise, home must be a space for encouragement, not more criticism.
Why This Moment Resonated
The exchange between Ranbir Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan struck a chord because it offered a rare, personal glimpse into the Bachchan family dynamic — one that is typically guarded from public view. The image of one of Hindi cinema's busiest superstars boarding a transatlantic flight for a two-hour school game underscores how the demands of a film career can be — and sometimes are — balanced against fatherhood.
This comes amid sustained public interest in the Bachchan family, with Abhishek Bachchan continuing his film career after several years of mixed commercial outcomes. The elder Bachchan's remarks about shielding his son from criticism at home are likely to add fresh context to how the family has navigated those professional ups and downs.
Point of View
By most accounts of the 1980s and 1990s, among the most relentlessly worked actors in Hindi cinema — and yet here is evidence of intentional fathering in the gaps. The more interesting thread, though, is his admission about withholding criticism of Abhishek. It implicitly acknowledges that outside criticism existed and was substantial, and frames the paternal role as protective buffer rather than career adviser. That is a candid posture for a man who has rarely been this unguarded in a public setting.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ranbir Kapoor reveal about Amitabh Bachchan on KBC?
Ranbir Kapoor revealed on Kaun Banega Crorepati that Amitabh Bachchan used to fly to Switzerland — where Abhishek Bachchan was studying — just to watch his school basketball matches, spending about two hours before flying straight back to the studio. He said Abhishek had shared this story with him multiple times as a testament to his father's commitment.
Where was Abhishek Bachchan studying when Amitabh visited for his basketball games?
Abhishek Bachchan was studying in Switzerland at the time. According to Ranbir Kapoor's account, Amitabh would fly there specifically for school basketball games and then immediately return to India for his film shoots.
How did Amitabh Bachchan respond to Ranbir Kapoor's story on KBC?
Amitabh Bachchan said it is a father's duty to inspire and encourage his children, and that love and responsibility come together naturally. He remarked that if something brings a child happiness even for five minutes, a parent must make the effort to be present.
Did Amitabh Bachchan discuss Abhishek's film career on KBC?
Yes. Amitabh said he never criticised Abhishek when his films did not perform well at the box office, reasoning that there were already millions of critics outside. He said he preferred to offer blessings and reassurance instead, telling Abhishek that more films and opportunities would come.
What is the context of Ranbir Kapoor's appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati?
Ranbir Kapoor appeared as a celebrity guest on Kaun Banega Crorepati, the popular quiz show hosted by Amitabh Bachchan. During the conversation, the topic of fatherhood and family bonds came up, prompting Ranbir to share the Switzerland anecdote that Abhishek had told him.
