Ranbir Kapoor, often at odds with his late father Rishi over film choices, has emerged as a leading star. Filmmaker Subhash Ghai highlights their complex bond. Ranbir is currently working on ‘Love and War’ and ‘Ramayan Part 1’, with rumors linking him to the ‘Dhoom’ franchise.
Ranbir Kapoor is known as one of the most talented actors of his generation. In the past ten years, he has taken on many different roles to show his skills and dedication. However, his father, the famous actor Rishi Kapoor, often criticized him. Rishi was worried about Ranbir’s choice to work in unusual films and not fully joining mainstream Bollywood. Recently, filmmaker Subhash Ghai, who was close to Rishi and saw their relationship up close, talked about their bond in an interview.
Subhash Ghai on differences between Ranbir and Rishi Kapoor
Talking to New18, Ghai described the relationship between Rishi and Ranbir as that of two very different personalities. He noted that the younger generation’s way of living is often not accepted by their fathers, and sons tend to resist what their fathers expect. As a result, Rishi and Ranbir had many disagreements, which were typical of a father-son relationship, but there was also plenty of love between them. Rishi believed that Ranbir was leaning more towards western cinema, and he felt that for Ranbir to achieve true success, he needed to fully embrace Hindi cinema.Ghai said, “Rishi Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor are two different personalities. The way a younger generation wants to live is something which is always disliked by the father, and what father wants is something the son opposes. So these two used to fight a lot. Just like a regular father-son dynamic. So there was ample love as well. Rishi always used to feel that Ranbir is leaning towards western cinema, and he always felt that if he needs to be successful, he has to embrace Hindi cinema fully. ‘
Ranbir Kapoor and father Rishi were different but connected
Subhash Ghai revealed that after Ranbir returned from film school, he often clashed with Rishi Kapoor over creative choices, with Rishi frequently scolding him. Ranbir would instead complain to Neetu Kapoor about wanting freedom, illustrating their distinctly different personalities.Ghai added, “Ranbir had just come back from New York, having learnt filmmaking, so Rishi used to tell me a lot about their equation. He often used to scold Ranbir and then Ranbir would never say anything to Rishi but later complain to Neetu about letting him take his decisions freely. So they were two different personalities altogether.”
Ranbir Kapoor’s rising stardom and Rishi’s absence
Ghai reflected on Ranbir’s current position as a leading star in the industry and expressed sadness that Rishi is no longer here to witness it. He said that Ranbir fully immerses himself in every role, experimenting with many characters, some successful, some not, but has now proven himself as the number one star and actor. Ghai pointed out that nowadays, anyone with four consecutive hits is called a star by the media, but Ranbir is truly a fantastic actor. He added that if Rishi were alive, he would have shown him how far his son has reached. Ghai used to advise Rishi not to pester Ranbir and to let him do what he wants, acknowledging that every father cares deeply about his son and wants him to do better than himself.Ghai said, “When Ranbir does a role, he gets full into it. He has done a lot of experiments as well, some good, some bad, but he has now proven himself to be a number one star, and also number one actor. These days anybody who gives four hits in a row is labelled a star by the media, but he is a fantastic actor. And sometimes I think, remembering Rishi, if he was alive, I would have told him, ‘See where your son has reached.’ I used to tell him, don’t pester him, let him do what he wants. But every father is concerned about their son, and wants him to do better than himself.”
Current projects and future rumors
On the work front, Ranbir Kapoor is currently busy shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s project ‘Love and War’. He is also preparing for the release of ‘Ramayan Part 1’, scheduled for next year, with plans to start filming Part 2 soon after. Additionally, there are widespread rumors suggesting that Ranbir may take on the lead role in the upcoming ‘Dhoom’ franchise installment. Go to Source
