Ranbir Kapoor once opened up about the emotional struggle he faced after the passing of his father, Rishi Kapoor. He revealed he didn’t cry at the time and spoke about his difficulty in expressing his feelings.
Unable to process the loss
In conversation with Nikhil Kamath, Ranbir opened up about his father’s passing. He revealed that he didn’t cry at the time—not because he didn’t feel the pain, but because he didn’t know how to process it. “I stopped crying very early on. I didn’t even cry when my father passed away. I remember spending the night at the hospital when the doctor said, ‘This is his last night; he could go anytime soon.’ I went up to the room and had a panic attack. I didn’t know how to express myself—there was too much happening to take in. I don’t think I have fully grieved or understood the loss.”
The actor revealed that he was never very close to his father while growing up, even though they shared love. He admitted that this emotional distance still affects him today.
Moments in New York during treatment
Recalling their time together in New York during Rishi Kapoor’s treatment, he said, “The one year we spent together in New York while his treatment was on, he often spoke about that. I was there for 45 days and one day he came and started crying. He has never shown that kind of weakness to me. It was so awkward for me because I didn’t know if I should hold him or hug him; I really realised the distance. I feel guilty that I didn’t have the grace to let go off the distance between us and go and hug him, give him some love.”
Men and expressing emotions
Ranbir also reflected on how men, particularly in Indian households, are often taught to hide their emotions. “You’re brought up a certain way, told, ‘Now you are responsible,’ and then a lot weighs on your mind. I have my mother, sister, wife, a child, and then my father passes away… Can I show my weakness? I don’t know what it is, but I just didn’t show it.”
