Before tying the knot with Alia Bhatt, Ranbir Kapoor had a reputation for being a ladies’ man in Bollywood, having been romantically linked with several actresses, including Deepika Padukone and Katrina Kaif. Rishi Kapoor, his father, once addressed this perception in the media, suggesting that Ranbir was involved with multiple women concurrently. However, he later revised his assertion.
In a 2013 interview with Filmfare, Rishi Kapoor openly discussed his son’s dating life and the rumors surrounding Ranbir’s involvement with more than one woman at a time. Discussing Ranbir’s reputation as a Casanova, Rishi noted that his son’s success made him appealing to any woman. The late actor expressed:
“It’s an image given by the media. He’s not that kind. Even if he is why not? He’s successful. Any girl would like to date him. Abhi nahi karega toh kab meri umar mein aakey karega?”
While acknowledging Ranbir’s appeal to women due to his success, Rishi initially stated that his son might indeed be seeing multiple people simultaneously.
He remarked,
“This is the age to find a soul mate. (Laughs) He’s seeing everyone because I keep seeing A B C and D in the house. But I don’t think that A knows about B and C knows about D. The staff knows and I know. I’m still the boss of the house. The news reaches my ears.”
However, Rishi later clarified his earlier comments during an interview with Anupama Chopra. He explained that his statement about Ranbir dating four girls concurrently was misconstrued. Rishi clarified that he was referring to various female acquaintances, such as dress designers, stylists, and assistants, who frequented their home. He emphasized that he did not condone cheating and regretted any misinterpretation of his words.
“I didn’t mean to say that he is dating four girls at one time. A lot of women come to the house, they could be dress designers, stylists, hair dressers, assistants.. So, that’s what I wanted to say in that mood, but it got misconstrued, and you got into saying that A doesn’t know B, B doesn’t know C… I wouldn’t like that. He shouldn’t be cheating on any girl, that’s not the right way to do. You don’t cheat on your girlfriends. So, that’s something I wanted to say in that manner.”
Rishi Kapoor’s Relationship with Ranbir
Despite their father-son bond, Rishi Kapoor acknowledged a certain distance between himself and Ranbir, expressing regret that they didn’t share a closer friendship. He attributed this distance partly to his own upbringing, which instilled in him a sense of strictness as a father. While acknowledging his role as a disciplinarian, Rishi lamented not fostering a more friendly dynamic with his son.
“The distance that exists between us is similar to the one between my father and me. Ranbir and I see each other through this space but can’t feel each other. At least, I can’t. There are times when I feel I’ve missed out on being a friend to my son. I was a strict father because I was brought up to believe that’s how a father should be. In one of his interviews, Ranbir said, ‘My father is not a friend. He is a father. I can’t backslap him and joke around with him.’ He is a friend to Neetu but not to me, and that’s something I deeply regret.”
Rishi Kapoor initially suggested that Ranbir Kapoor was romantically involved with multiple women simultaneously, but later clarified that he was referring to a wider social circle and not concurrent romantic relationships. He also expressed regret over the perceived distance between himself and his son.
