When Rishi Kapoor cried after seeing son Ranbir Kapoor's performance in Sanju, watch throwback video

In the world of Bollywood, few father-son duos have garnered as much attention as Rishi Kapoor and his son, Ranbir Kapoor. Their relationship was a mix of respect, admiration, and love, all deeply rooted in the Kapoor family’s legacy in Indian cinema. An instance that stands out in their bond is when Rishi Kapoor became emotional after watching his son’s performance in the biographical film Sanju (2018), directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

Rishi Kapoor, a legendary actor in his own right, always kept high standards for acting, a trait that Ranbir inherited and honed over the years.

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Despite the ups and downs of his career, Ranbir had always lived up to his father’s expectations, both in terms of talent and dedication. However, it was his portrayal of Sanjay Dutt in Sanju that deeply moved Rishi, sparking an unforgettable moment of praise and emotion.

In Sanju, Ranbir Kapoor took on the challenge of portraying one of Bollywood’s most controversial and beloved figures, Sanjay Dutt. The role demanded Ranbir to embody the myriad phases of Dutt’s tumultuous life, from his struggles with drug addiction to his involvement in legal controversies.

To many, including Rishi Kapoor, it was a role that showcased the peak of Ranbir’s acting prowess.

A video resurfaced oline where Rishi Kapoor can be seen watching the teaser of Sanju for the very first time. As he watched Ranbir’s portrayal of Sanjay Dutt, Rishi was visibly emotional. In the clip, Rishi can be heard saying, “Oh my god, the boy has really done well. I am so proud of him.” Rishi, known for his candid opinions about the film industry and often blunt comments about performances, couldn’t hide his emotions while praising his son.

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What made this moment even more touching was that Rishi had no prior knowledge about the teaser or Ranbir’s look as Sanjay Dutt in the film. He was surprised by how closely his son resembled the real Sanjay Dutt in both appearance and mannerisms. As he watched, he remarked, “I did not know Ranbir is coming, I thought Sanjay Dutt is coming.”

Rishi went on to address his son directly in the video, saying, “Ranbir, if you are listening, you don’t know how emotionally triggered I am when Raju (Rajkumar Hirani) and Vinod (Vidhu Vinod Chopra) are showing me this trailer of yours.” The elder Kapoor couldn’t contain his pride and excitement over Ranbir’s convincing transformation into the character, exclaiming how well his son had done.

Rishi Kapoor continued to reflect on the moment, noting how he thought Ranbir’s performance was so compelling that it almost felt like watching the real Sanjay Dutt. He added that the first appearance of Ranbir from jail in the teaser made him think, “It was Sanjay Dutt.”

As much as Rishi was overwhelmed with pride for his son, he also humorously expressed his hesitation in over-praising Ranbir, stating, “I should not be praising my own son so much.” This humility, combined with genuine fatherly pride, reflected the deep bond Rishi shared with Ranbir.

Rishi’s admiration for his son’s work in Sanju was not limited to this moment. He often mentioned in interviews and social media that he had high hopes for Ranbir and was always proud of his achievements, even when he was critical of some of his film choices. His reaction to Sanju, however, was nothing short of emotional validation for Ranbir, coming from one of Bollywood’s stalwarts.

The love and bond between the father and son became even more poignant when Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020, after a two-year battle with leukemia. The actor, who had been undergoing treatment in New York, returned to Mumbai after battling cancer for almost a year. His demise left a huge void in Bollywood, with fans and celebrities pouring in tributes.

Ranbir, who had always maintained a private relationship with his father in public, surely treasured these moments of emotional praise from him. The video of Rishi Kapoor reacting to Sanju continues to be a cherished memory of the love, pride, and legacy that Rishi Kapoor left behind for his son and the industry.