Anil Kapoor calls daughters Sonam and Rhea his 'double bonus' in emotional confession
Synopsis
Anil Kapoor has never forgiven himself for missing Rhea Kapoor's birth — he fell asleep after an all-night shoot and arrived after the delivery. The confession, made on his new show premiering 19 September, adds rare emotional depth to Bollywood's most tireless workaholic, and reframes his 'double bonus' daughters as both his pride and his reminder of what relentless ambition costs.
Key Takeaways
Anil Kapoor revealed he arrived late to the hospital when daughter Rhea Kapoor was born, having fallen asleep after an all-night shoot.
He said he has 'never been able to forgive' himself for missing the birth.
Kapoor called daughters Sonam and Rhea his 'double bonus', saying having a daughter is itself a bonus.
He cited his sons-in-law as better examples of balancing family time and professional commitments.
Kapoor married Sunita Bhavnani in 1984 ; they have three children — Sonam, Rhea, and Harshvardhan .
India Ke Top 1%: The Anil Kapoor Show premieres on 19 September on Star Plus and JioHotstar .
Veteran actor Anil Kapoor has opened up about the personal cost of his decades-long dedication to work, revealing a guilt he has carried since the birth of his daughter Rhea Kapoor — and why he now considers himself a proud 'double bonus' father to both Sonam and Rhea. The candid admission came during an episode of his upcoming show, India Ke Top 1%: The Anil Kapoor Show, set to premiere on 19 September on Star Plus and JioHotstar.
A Confession Decades in the Making
Speaking with a contestant on the show, Kapoor shared the moment that has haunted him: arriving late to the hospital on the night Rhea was born. 'Rhea ki delivery ho gayi thi aur main kuch waqt baad wahan pahuncha. Main poori raat shoot kar raha tha aur meri aankh lag gayi,' he said — meaning he had been shooting through the night, fallen asleep, and by the time he woke and reached the hospital, his daughter had already been born.
'I have never been able to forgive myself for that,' Kapoor admitted, in what amounted to a rare, unguarded moment of self-reckoning from one of Bollywood's most enduring stars.
Work-Life Lessons Learned Late
Kapoor, who married Sunita Bhavnani in 1984 and shares three children — Sonam, Rhea, and Harshvardhan — acknowledged that balancing family and career is something he is still learning. 'A lot of people say that I work for my family, but I am also now learning how important it is to make time for your family,' he said.
He pointed to his sons-in-law as examples of a healthier balance, noting that they carve out dedicated time for both family and professional commitments — a model he wished he had followed more closely in his younger years.
The 'Double Bonus' That Defines Him
Despite the regret, Kapoor was emphatic about the joy his daughters bring him. 'Having a daughter is a bonus, and I have two daughters, Sonam and Rhea, so for me, it is a double bonus,' he said, lending the show its emotional centrepiece.
The remark reflects a warmth that has become a defining part of Kapoor's public persona in recent years — a shift from the high-octane screen image to a more reflective, family-first narrative.
About the Show
India Ke Top 1%: The Anil Kapoor Show premieres on 19 September on Star Plus and JioHotstar. The format, which places Kapoor in conversation with contestants, appears designed to draw out personal stories alongside competitive elements — with the actor's own life serving as both context and commentary.
With the premiere days away, Kapoor's candid revelations are likely to drive significant viewer interest and set an emotional tone for the series.
Point of View
But it is also well-timed promotional material for a show launching in two days. That does not make the emotion less real — Kapoor has spoken about family sacrifices before — but the candour here arrives in a controlled, televised setting rather than an unguarded interview, which is worth noting. What the clip does reveal is a broader generational shift in how male Bollywood stars are now expected to frame legacy: less box-office legacy, more fatherhood narrative. Whether that shift is authentic reflection or savvy brand repositioning, audiences will decide when the show airs.
NationPress
17 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Anil Kapoor call Sonam and Rhea his 'double bonus'?
Anil Kapoor says 'having a daughter is a bonus' and since he has two daughters — Sonam and Rhea — he considers himself doubly blessed, making it a 'double bonus'. He made this remark during a conversation on his upcoming show, expressing how much his daughters mean to him.
What did Anil Kapoor confess about Rhea Kapoor's birth?
Kapoor revealed that he arrived at the hospital after Rhea had already been born, because he had been shooting through the night and fallen asleep. He said he has never been able to forgive himself for missing the moment of her birth.
When does 'India Ke Top 1%: The Anil Kapoor Show' premiere?
The show premieres on 19 September on Star Plus and JioHotstar. It features Anil Kapoor in conversation with contestants, with personal storytelling as a key element of the format.
How many children does Anil Kapoor have?
Anil Kapoor and his wife Sunita Bhavnani, whom he married in 1984, have three children: daughters Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor, and son Harshvardhan Kapoor.
What did Anil Kapoor say about work-life balance?
Kapoor admitted he is still learning how important it is to give time to family, having spent much of his career prioritising work. He praised his sons-in-law for managing to balance professional and family commitments more effectively than he did at their age.
