Mumbai, Oct 9 (PTI) Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor, a self-proclaimed "product of nepotism," acknowledged the advantages of being born into a filmy lineage but emphasized that such lineage doesn't ensure success. At the "Celebrate Cinema 2025" festival at filmmaker Subhash Ghai's Whistling Woods, Ranbir explained that despite belonging to the illustrious Kapoor family, he needed to cultivate his own distinct approach and showcase his talent to make a mark in the industry. He candidly remarked, "I'm a product of nepotism and got it easy, but I realized that without an individualistic approach and self-made name, I wouldn't triumph in films." The actor, son of Rishi and Neetu Kapoor, highlighted that while the Kapoor family enjoys celebrated successes, there are failures too, which offer significant learning opportunities.
"For me, being born in this family felt normal, like any other household," Ranbir reflected, recalling his childhood filled with visits from music directors, singers, and lyricists working on his grandfather Raj Kapoor's movies. He shared insights on the collaborative nature of filmmaking, describing it as a "marriage of artists coming together" to inspire generations, resonating with his great-grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor's motto, "Kala desh ki seva mein." His filmography includes acclaimed titles such as "Wake Up Sid," "Rockstar," "Barfi," and the upcoming "Animal." Ranbir discussed his dynamic approach to acting, which changes with each film and director, stressing the importance of adaptability and understanding that filmmaking is primarily a director's medium.
Recalling his beginnings as an assistant director on Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s "Black," he highlighted his learning moments from the performances of Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukerji. "I was observing them, contemplating my approach to scenes," Ranbir stated, advising young talent not to confine themselves to one method of acting. He emphasized filmmaking as a form of entertainment, urging emerging actors not to take themselves too seriously.
Having spent 18 years in the movie industry, Ranbir expressed a keen interest in mentoring the future generation of actors. "My dream is to someday become an acting coach, to share experiences and provide guidance. Film institutes are vibrant with dreams and talent," he shared. With upcoming projects including Bhansali's "Love and War" and Nitesh Tiwari's "Ramayana," Ranbir looks forward to potentially nurturing young actors, feeding off their infectious energy as he's at a career phase where he seeks new inspiration.
In an exciting announcement during the event, Subhash Ghai introduced two scholarships named after cinematic legends Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt for students at his institute.
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