Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor, one of the most recognized faces in the Hindi film industry, candidly spoke about his journey and the influence of his illustrious family on his career. Speaking at a session titled Tribute to Legendary Filmmakers Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt during the Celebrate Cinema 2025 festival at Subhash Ghai’s Whistling Woods film institute, Ranbir acknowledged the privileges he enjoyed as a member of the Kapoor family while emphasizing the hard work required to carve out his own identity.

Acknowledging Nepotism

During the session, Ranbir admitted, “I’m a product of nepotism and I got it very easy in my life, but I always had to work hard because I realised that I come from a family like this and if I don’t have an individualistic approach and if I don’t make a name for myself, I’ll not succeed in the film industry.” He highlighted that while the successes of the Kapoor family are celebrated widely, there have also been numerous failures, from which lessons can be learned just as much as from achievements.

Growing Up in a Film Family

Ranbir reflected on his upbringing in the Kapoor household, saying that for him it felt like any other normal family. “There used to be a lot of arguments, but not of the domestic kind. They would debate over a scene or the correct lyrics of a song,” he shared. As the son of actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, and the grandson of legendary filmmaker and actor Raj Kapoor, Ranbir was immersed in cinema from a young age, witnessing the creative process and challenges of the industry firsthand.

Hard Work and Individual Identity

Despite his privileged background, Ranbir stressed the importance of hard work and establishing an individual identity. He emphasized that being part of a celebrated film family comes with expectations and scrutiny, and one must put in the effort to be recognized on one’s own merit. His perspective reflects a balance between acknowledging the advantages of nepotism and understanding the personal responsibility to succeed.

Career Highlights and Upcoming Projects

Ranbir Kapoor’s career spans nearly two decades, with a diverse range of roles establishing him as one of Bollywood’s leading actors. His recent film Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, showcased his versatility and garnered widespread acclaim. Looking ahead, he has multiple high-profile projects lined up:

• Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Love and War, co-starring Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal.
• Nitesh Tiwari’s epic adaptation of the Ramayana, where Ranbir will portray Lord Ram.

These projects underline his continued relevance and commitment to challenging roles in the industry.

Balancing Legacy and Personal Growth

Ranbir Kapoor’s reflections provide insight into the complex dynamics of growing up in a prominent film family. While nepotism granted him opportunities, it also required him to strive for excellence and individuality to truly make his mark. His candid remarks highlight the balance between privilege and perseverance, underscoring that talent, dedication, and hard work remain essential to long-term success in Bollywood.