Why is Alia Bhatt missing from Dining With The Kapoors? Armaan Jain clarifies

Netflix’s upcoming special Dining With The Kapoors is already the talk of the season, featuring a star-filled Kapoor family lineup including Kareena, Riddhima, Ranbir, Saif and others. But fans can’t help noticing Alia Bhatt’s absence, sparking strong speculation about why she isn’t part of the episode.

Entertainment desk

November 20, 2025 / 17:32 IST

The gathering also commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, adding emotional weight to the on-screen reunion.

Netflix’s upcoming special Dining With The Kapoors has already become one of the most talked-about celebrity events of the season.

Featuring an enviable lineup of Bollywood royalty including Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Neetu Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Rima Jain, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Aadar Jain, and Navya Naveli Nanda, the series promises a rare, intimate glimpse into one of the country’s most celebrated film families. The gathering also commemorates the 100th birth anniversary of Raj Kapoor, adding emotional weight to the on-screen reunion.

But even as viewers admired the intergenerational star power at the dining table, one question dominated conversations online, Where is Alia Bhatt? As the youngest Kapoor daughter-in-law and one of India’s biggest stars, her absence was immediately noticeable.

Producer Armaan Jain has now finally addressed the speculation. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama, he revealed that Alia’s absence had nothing to do with family dynamics or creative decisions. It was simply a matter of professional commitment. “She had prior commitments to shoot. I might sound filmy, but like Raj Kapoor said, ‘work is worship,’” Armaan explained.

Director Smriti Mundhra echoed this sentiment, and emphasised that work-related conflicts are inevitable in a family made up almost entirely of actors and filmmakers. “That is the one thing about this family. They are all workaholics and they love what they do. They always make an attempt to gather, but inevitably there’s one or two who can’t make it because of work — and that’s always allowed,” she said.