Ranbir Kapoor shares an inspiring family anecdote about his great grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor; reveals why he never praised his son Raj Kapoor despite his stardom

Ranbir Kapoor recently shared an interesting anecdote about his family’s approach to appreciation and professional success during an appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati Season 18. In a conversation with host Amitabh Bachchan, the actor spoke about a generational tradition in the Kapoor family that started with great grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor and grandfather Raj Kapoor, where fathers have often refrained from openly praising their sons, believing that constant appreciation could take away their drive to improve.

Recalling an incident involving Raj Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor, Ranbir revealed that he had come across the story in a book on Raj Kapoor written by his aunt, Ritu Nanda. According to the anecdote, Raj Kapoor once questioned his father about why he never acknowledged his achievements or appreciated his work, even after becoming a celebrated star.

Sharing the story on the show, Ranbir said, “Main ek kahani suni thi mere dadaji Shri Raj Kapoor ki kitab mein jo Ritu bua, Mrs. Ritu Nanda ne likhi thi, ke wo gaye the Prithviraj Kapoor ke paas aur unse unhone poocha ki aaj aapka beta star hai, itna kuch kar raha hai, aap kabhi meri tareef nahi karte, mere peeth pe thapthapate nahi. Toh unhone ek kahani sunai thi Shri Raj Kapoor ko ki ek chhota balak tha raste par ek balancing act karta tha ek rope par aur roz bahut saari janata aati thi, taaliyan maarti thi, paise dete the, bahut wah-wah hoti thi.”

Ranbir went on to narrate the story of a young boy who performed a balancing act on a rope by the roadside. While audiences applauded him and rewarded him after every performance, the boy would turn to his father for an assessment. His father, however, would consistently tell him that there was still room for improvement.

Explaining how the story concluded, Ranbir added, “Aur jab act khatam hota tha toh balak apne pita ke paas jaata tha aur poochhta tha ki babuji kaisi rahi, aur wo hamesha ek hi baat kehte the, 'Kasar rahi'. Aisa lagata hota tha, 'Kasar rahi, kaisi hui? Kasar rahi, kaisi lagi? Kasar rahi.' Toh ek din bahut saalon baad jab unhone pitaji se poochha ki main itna achha karta hoon, log itni tareef karte hain, itni wah-wah karte hain meri, aap kyun kehte ho? Toh I think jo unhone kaha tha ki beta jiss din main aapki tareef karna shuru karunga, jo aapka ek lakshya hai, aapka joh dhyan hai woh yahan se hat jayega aur aap tareef mein kho jaoge..”

The lesson, as Ranbir recounted it, was that excessive praise could distract an individual from their goals and the pursuit of excellence. The anecdote also offered a glimpse into the values that have shaped the Kapoor family's approach to work across generations.

The Kapoor family has had a longstanding presence in Indian cinema, beginning with Prithviraj Kapoor, who made significant contributions to theatre and films. Raj Kapoor went on to become one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated filmmakers and actors, with subsequent generations continuing the family's association with the industry.

Kaun Banega Crorepati 18 airs on Sony Entertainment Television.

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