Ranbir Kapoor had many fights with dad Rishi Kapoor, reveals director Subhash Ghai, says, "Rishi used to scold..."

Ranbir Kapoor had many fights with dad Rishi Kapoor, reveals director Subhash Ghai, says, "Rishi used to scold..."

Like many fathers and sons, Ranbir Kapoor and his late father, legendary actor Rishi Kapoor, shared a relationship filled with love, respect, and frequent clashes. Director Subhash Ghai, who was close to the Kapoor family, recently spoke about the emotional equation between the two and how their creative differences often led to heated arguments.

According to Subhash Ghai, Rishi Kapoor was a man deeply rooted in traditional Hindi cinema — passionate, outspoken, and guided by old-school discipline.

Ranbir, on the other hand, belonged to a more global generation of artists, influenced by his exposure to international cinema and modern storytelling. Their contrasting worldviews were often at the heart of their disagreements.

“Rishi was very emotional about Indian cinema,” Subhash Ghai shared. “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.”

The director recalled that the friction between father and son grew stronger after Ranbir returned from New York, where he studied filmmaking. Having been exposed to a new culture of cinema, Ranbir wanted to experiment with his career choices and craft. Rishi Kapoor, however, wanted his son to follow the family’s established legacy and stay connected to the traditional essence of Bollywood.

“After Ranbir came back from his studies, he was full of new ideas and wanted to explore roles that were unconventional,” Subhash Ghai said. “But Rishi would get irritated when he saw Ranbir making choices that didn’t fit the usual definition of a hero. Their arguments were never about lack of love, they were about passion — both wanted the best for each other.”

Despite their differences, Subhash Ghai emphasised that there was a deep undercurrent of affection between the two. “Rishi may have been strict, but he adored Ranbir. He was immensely proud of his son’s talent,” the filmmaker said. “He would often call me and talk about how good Ranbir was in a certain scene or film. He wanted him to succeed, but on his own terms.”

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Subhash Ghai also reflected on how Ranbir eventually proved his mettle by becoming one of the most versatile actors of his generation. “Rishi would have been so proud today. Ranbir has found his own space while carrying forward the Kapoor legacy with dignity,” he added.

Today, Ranbir Kapoor stands tall as one of India’s most admired stars. After the massive success of Animal, he is shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War and is set to appear in Ramayan: Part 1. Reports also suggest he might lead the next Dhoom film. In many ways, Ranbir has become the bridge between two eras of cinema — the legacy his father built and the future he continues to shape.