Ahead of the Ramayana release, Bollywood actor Ranbir Kapoor has opened up about a generational tradition in the Kapoor family, where fathers have refrained from openly appreciating their sons’ work, choosing instead to push them towards greater dedication and excellence.
Recalling an interesting anecdote involving his grandfather Raj Kapoor and great-grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor, Ranbir revealed how the latter rarely praised his son’s achievements, even after Raj became a celebrated star.
The actor shared the anecdote during a conversation with megastar Amitabh Bachchan on Kaun Banega Crorepati. He revealed that he had read about the incident in a book on Raj Kapoor written by his aunt, Ritu Nanda.
According to the story, Raj Kapoor once approached his father and questioned why he never appreciated his achievements or patted him on the back despite his success.
Recalling the conversation, Ranbir said, “But I think I heard a story that in my grandfather Shri Raj Kapoor's book Jo Ritu Bua, Mrs. Ritu Nanda had written, that she went to Prithviraj Kapoor and asked him that today your son is a star, he is doing so much, you never praise me, never pat me on the back. So he told a story that Shri Raj Kapoor had a little boy on the road who did a balancing act on a rope and every day he brought a lot of money, he recited poetry, he gave money, he was very famous.” (“But I think I once read a story in a book about my grandfather, Shri Raj Kapoor, written by my aunt, Ritu bua, Mrs. Ritu Nanda. He had gone to Prithviraj Kapoor and asked him, 'Your son is a star today and has achieved so much, yet you never praise me or pat me on the back.' Prithviraj Kapoor then narrated a story to Raj Kapoor about a little boy who performed a balancing act on a rope by the roadside. Every day, large crowds would gather to watch him, applaud him, give him money and shower him with praise.”)
Elaborating on the story, Ranbir recalled how the young boy would approach his father after every performance, hoping to hear words of appreciation, but would receive the same response every time. Despite the applause and admiration from the audience, his father would tell him that there was still room for improvement.
He added, “And when the act was over, he would go to his father and ask how Babuji was, and he would always say something like, 'Kasar rahi'. He would say, 'Kasar rahi, kaisi rahi? Kasar rahi, kaisi lagi? Kasar rahi.' So one day, after many years, he asked his father that I am doing so well, people are praising me so much, they are praising me so much, why do you say so? So I think what he said is that son, the day I start praising you, which is your goal, your attention will go from here and you will start praising me.” (Whenever the performance ended, the little boy would go to his father and ask, 'Father, how was it?' His father would always give the same response: 'There was still room for improvement.' Many years later, the boy finally asked his father why he never praised him despite the appreciation he received from people. His father replied, 'Son, the day I start praising you, your goal and focus will shift away from what you are trying to achieve, and you will get lost in the praise.')
The Kapoor family is one of the most influential film dynasties in Indian cinema, with several generations making their mark in the industry.
The legacy began with Prithviraj Kapoor, who laid the foundation for the family’s contribution to Indian theatre and cinema. His sons, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor, carried the legacy forward and established themselves as celebrated actors and entertainers.
Raj Kapoor further strengthened the family’s standing, with his sons Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor also making their mark in the film industry.
The subsequent generations, including Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Ranbir Kapoor, have continued to carry the Kapoor legacy forward.