The Shamshera [2022] actor revealed that how star kids were largely raised by their mothers who often had to give up on their careers.

By Mayur Lookhar

Wishes have been pouring in for Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt ever since the celebrity couple announced that they are expecting their first child. The couple is naturally very excited over this good news.

Last year was tough for the family when Ranbir lost his father, actor Rishi Kapoor. 2022 though has brought much cheer for the family, first with Kapoor and Bhatt tying the knot in April. On the professional front, Alia Bhatt received much praise for her performance in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Gangubai Kathiawadi [2022]. For Ranbir, this is a big year as he will have two major releases within a space of six weeks. First there is Shamshera that hits the screens on 22 July, while Brahmastra: Part One will come up on 9 September

Speaking on this good phase in life during a group interview, Kapoor says, “I don’t think there is any bigger joy than becoming parents. My films are coming after four years. So, there is anticipation around it as to how they [Shamshera, Brahmastra] will be received. I’m very grateful, indebted that life is giving me all these great joys.”

It is never easy for working parents to bring in, and raise a child.  Maybe, it is more taxing for actors. How would Ranbir balance his professional life and impending fatherhood?

“I’m ready to do everything. I’ve thought a lot on what answers would I give to such a question.  I even rehearsed with Alia. She would ask me, Ranbir you are going to become a father, what do you have to say about that?  We had few words, but I can’t describe the real feeling. I’m very happy, nervous also terrified. But I’m grateful to the point that I have never experienced this emotion in my life before,” replied Kapoor.

With impending fatherhood, also come its anxieties. Ranbir didn’t hold back while saying, “It is all going to happen soon. Are we prepared? Will I be able to hold a baby? I’m so scared as to how to hold a baby’s neck, back? I have been taking tips.” Kapoor has been taking tips from his Shamshera [2022] director Karan Malhotra, who became a father few years ago.  

Often in many societies, women tend to quit or take a break from work to concentrate on motherhood. Kapoor, though doesn’t want his actor wife to sacrifice her career. He is ready to share the responsibilities equally, which wasn’t the case with their respective mothers. [Ranbir was born to actor couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, while Alia was born to filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt and former actor Soni Razdan]

Reflecting on the same, Kapoor said, “We grew up with a generation where our fathers couldn’t give much time to us. So, more or less, we have been brought up by our mothers. We were close to our mothers. I want to have a different dynamic with my children. I want them to be close with me too. Alia is a busy working star in this industry. I don’t want Alia to sacrifice her dreams because she has a child.  So, somewhere we will have to plan out a balanced life, where we both can enjoy our personal and professional lives. We’ll take it one day, one step at a time.”

Usually, it is the woman who gets peppered with all the questions on motherhood but here it is the father-to-be who is facing the music. Is Kapoor delighted with that?

“I don’t know. Alia and I always wanted children,” the Brahmastra actor says, “We have been talking about children since the day we met. We want to have lots of children in life. How much ever we can, and afford.  She is back tonight. I’m seeing her after two months. We have lots of talking and planning. We’ve been on the phone every day dreaming the future what it is going to be like. Till the day it happens, I don’t know how it is going to be but I’m so excited.”

That excitement was indeed reflected in Kapoor’s tone and positive body language. We wish the couple and their unborn child the very best for the future.