Parents’ Fights, Childhood Trauma: Ranbir Kapoor Makes Vulnerable Revelations

Ranbir Kapoor recently opened up about his childhood and the emotional turmoil he experienced due to the tumultuous relationship between his famous parents, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor. In a candid interview on Nikhil Kamath's YouTube channel People by WTF, Ranbir discussed the anxiety he faced growing up amid his parents' frequent arguments.

Ranbir Kapoor Opens Up About Childhood Trauma

Reflecting on his childhood, Ranbir revealed how the loud tones and fights between his parents left a lasting impact on him. He said, "Anybody who speaks in a louder tone disturbs me, since childhood. My parents went through a lot of fights. We lived in a bungalow, so I have spent most of my childhood on the staircases, hearing them fight. I was always scared and on the edge."

Ranbir shared that his parents, both prominent figures in Bollywood, went through a particularly rough patch when he was young. With his sister Riddhima Kapoor Sahni often away, he felt a sense of responsibility towards his mother. He explained, "My mother used to talk about her feelings to me. But, my father wasn’t that expressive. I never understood or heard his point of view."

Ranbir also talked about his fear of his father, admitting that he was so scared that he never looked directly into his father's eyes. Despite his fear, Ranbir acknowledged his father's love for family, work, food, and alcohol. He described Rishi Kapoor as a good man but one with a short temper, which made the household atmosphere volatile. 

"He never shouted at us, never raised his hand at us, but just because around us his temperament was so volatile that it always scared me," Ranbir shared, emphasising the impact of his father's mood on his own feelings of safety and security.

Generational Differences in Expressing Love

Ranbir also reflected on the generational differences in expressing love and vulnerability. He noted, "I think that generation of men are scared of vulnerability. He never even expressed his love to me. He could never hold my hand. He did hug me, but it had more of a pat than a real hug. Maybe I am blaming his generation, but I don’t know. He was very distant. I knew he loved me a lot and cared for me a lot but there was a distance."

Ranbir also spoke about how his parents eventually reconciled their differences, especially after Rishi was diagnosed with cancer. He witnessed the selfless care his mother provided for his father during his illness, which highlighted the depth of their bond despite their earlier conflicts.

The couple, who married in January 1980, have had their relationship well-documented, becoming one of Bollywood’s iconic pairs. They have two children: Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, who is married to Bharat Sahni, and Ranbir Kapoor, who married actor Alia Bhatt in April 2022. Ranbir and Alia welcomed their daughter, Raha Kapoor, in November 2022.

How Ranbir Kapoor’s Childhood Trauma Influenced His Married Life

Ranbir also shared his deep gratitude for his wife, Alia Bhatt, especially for her calming influence and her ability to soothe his insecurities. Ranbir revealed the significant efforts Alia has made to adapt her behaviour for his comfort.

"She used to speak in a very loud tone. I think my father’s tone growing up always rattled me. So, she really made efforts to change that. And that’s not easy when you’ve lived 30 years of your life speaking in a certain way. She’s someone who instinctively reacts, say, if Raha falls down. There’s a reaction that throws me off. She makes certain efforts to put me at ease. I hope I could say there’s something I did to put her at ease, but I don’t think I’ve done it yet," he admitted.

Ranbir's most recent film was Sandeep Reddy Vanga's Animal, which emerged as one of the major hits of 2023. The film also explores the tumultuous relationship between a father and son and how this dynamic impacts the son's married life.