Neetu Kapoor Says Rishi Kapoor Maintained Distance From Children, Wanted Them to Fear Him

Neetu Kapoor has said that her late husband Rishi Kapoor deliberately maintained a distant relationship with their children, Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, believing they should fear him as a father. In an episode of Soha Ali Khan's podcast 'All About Her', she stated Rishi wanted to uphold a strict parental boundary, saying, 'He never got friendly with Ranbir or Riddhima because they should have some fear. They were scared. There was that kind of a fear. He wanted that.'

Neetu also spoke about the challenges in her marriage, describing extended periods of silence between her and Rishi during disagreements. She said these 'cold wars' could last months, during which she refused to speak until Rishi initiated reconciliation. 'I would not bend till the time he didn’t ask me, “What’s your problem?” And he would do that,' she said, adding that Rishi sometimes turned to their children to understand her silence.

The actress clarified that their daughter Riddhima’s late entry into the film industry was her personal choice, not due to any opposition from Rishi Kapoor. She emphasized, 'It wasn’t like my husband told her, “Don’t work in movies.” That’s what she chose.' Riddhima is now pursuing her career in fashion and films.

These remarks align with past statements by both Ranbir and Rishi Kapoor. In his foreword to Rishi’s autobiography 'Khullam Khulla', Ranbir wrote he felt closer to his mother and acknowledged a lack of closeness with his father. Rishi himself admitted during the book’s launch that he was not a 'friend father' and regretted his emotional unavailability during Ranbir’s childhood.

Neetu Kapoor, who returned to acting after Rishi’s death in 2020 following a battle with leukaemia, has increasingly spoken about her personal struggles and marriage in public forums. Her comments are part of an ongoing narrative shaping the public understanding of the Kapoor family dynamics, as shared by its members. The podcast episode has reignited discussion about parenting and legacy in Indian cinema families.