Neetu Kapoor on parenting clashes with Alia Bhatt over granddaughter Raha
Synopsis
Neetu Kapoor's podcast candour reveals the quiet generational tug-of-war in modern Bollywood households: a grandmother's indulgence versus a millennial mother's screen-time vigilance. With Alia Bhatt running a strict digital-free home for three-year-old Raha, Neetu's playful pushback — 'let me give her one chocolate' — masks a deeper shift in how today's parents navigate childhood in the age of social media addiction.
Key Takeaways
Neetu Kapoor revealed on Soha Ali Khan's podcast that she frequently clashes with Alia Bhatt over parenting granddaughter Raha .
Alia enforces strict discipline: no TV, limited sugar, and careful content curation; Neetu prefers to indulge and spoil the child.
Raha responds more to Alia's authority, while Ranbir Kapoor takes a playful, friend-like approach.
Neetu attributed modern parenting strictness to digital-age fears: children's addiction to screens and overexposure via social media.
Ranbir and Alia welcomed Raha in November 2022 and have kept her away from public exposure.
Veteran actor Neetu Kapoor has opened up about the playful tensions between herself and daughter-in-law Alia Bhatt over parenting approaches for granddaughter Raha, revealing how their contrasting styles — strict discipline versus indulgent grandparenting — play out in everyday moments.
Speaking on actor Soha Ali Khan's podcast All About Her, Neetu praised Alia's disciplined approach to child-rearing while acknowledging her own instinct to spoil the three-year-old. "Alia is a disciplinarian. She is teaching her the right things," Neetu said, highlighting her daughter-in-law's strict stance on screen time and dietary choices.
The Grandmother vs. Mother Dynamic
Neetu painted a vivid picture of their lighthearted disagreements. "I am always fighting with her. I say, 'Come on, let me give her one chocolate.' But Alia says, 'No, sugar is not good for her.' I tell her, 'I'm the grandmother, let me spoil her a little,'" she recounted. The actress emphasised that Alia's protective stance — no TV, no unnecessary exposure, and careful curation of content — reflects modern parenting anxieties around digital addiction and early childhood development.
Raha's Bond With Her Parents
Neetu also revealed how Raha gravitates toward her mother's authority. "Raha listens to Alia, and Alia is a great mother. Ranbir is more like a friend. He chills with her, does all the fun things with her, but children are always a little more scared of their mother," she explained. The observation underscores the classic parental division — Ranbir Kapoor as the playful parent, Alia as the rule-setter.
Modern Parenting and Digital Fears
Neetu attributed the generational shift in parenting strictness to contemporary concerns around technology. "I think social media scares them. Children can get addicted to screens very quickly, and today there's so much exposure all around," she noted, acknowledging that today's parents navigate digital risks her generation did not face.
Background
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt welcomed Raha in November 2022, the same year they married. The family has largely kept Raha away from public and social media exposure, consistent with Alia's protective parenting philosophy that Neetu now endorses, even as she playfully pushes back.
Point of View
But the digital stakes are.
NationPress
11 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Neetu Kapoor reveal about her parenting clashes with Alia Bhatt?
Neetu disclosed that she and Alia frequently have playful disagreements over how to raise granddaughter Raha. Alia enforces strict discipline — no TV, limited sugar, careful content curation — while Neetu prefers to indulge and spoil the child. Neetu joked about wanting to give Raha chocolate, only to be stopped by Alia's health-conscious approach.
How does Raha respond differently to her parents?
Raha listens more to her mother Alia because Alia is the disciplinarian at home, whereas Ranbir Kapoor takes a more playful, friend-like approach. Children naturally gravitate toward their mother's authority, Neetu explained.
Why is Alia so strict about Raha's diet and screen time?
Alia's protective stance reflects modern parenting concerns about digital addiction and overexposure. Neetu noted that today's parents fear social media's impact on children more than previous generations did, and Alia is particularly cautious about what Raha consumes — both food and media.
When was Raha born, and how have her parents managed her public exposure?
Raha was born in November 2022, the same year Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt married. The couple has largely kept Raha away from public and social media exposure, consistent with Alia's protective parenting philosophy.
What generational difference does Neetu highlight about parenting?
Neetu points out that her generation of parents did not face the digital and social media challenges that today's parents navigate. Modern parents like Alia are more cautious because of screen addiction risks and constant online exposure — concerns that were not part of earlier parenting frameworks.
