Ram Kapoor and Gautami Kapoor Get Candid About Their 23-Year Marriage Journey
In an exclusive and revealing interview with Nayandeep Rakshit, veteran Bollywood actors Ram Kapoor and Gautami Kapoor opened up about their personal lives, sharing intimate details that span from their initial friendship to the challenges of parenting. Married for 23 years since their private ceremony on February 16, 2003, the couple first met on the sets of the television show Ghar Ek Mandir, where their bond began as friends before blossoming into love.
From Friendship to Romance: A Unique Beginning
Ram Kapoor recalled their early days with honesty, stating, "I was a full player those days" when they first became friends. He emphasized that their relationship was built on genuine camaraderie without any romantic intentions initially. "We were friends actually and that's the coolest part. When you want to date someone, you always put your best foot forward. You try to impress the person. In our case it was the opposite because we did not want to date each other," he explained. Ram noted that Gautami was in another relationship at the time, while he was casually dating multiple people, describing himself as "happy-go-lucky."
Gautami added her perspective, highlighting Ram's transparency. "See the kind of person he is, whoever he was in a relationship or whatever he was back then, he was very upfront and open about it. He never kind of manipulated anyone and I knew that about him," she said. This honesty allowed her to accept him without judgment, as she had "no vested interest" in him romantically initially.
Navigating Love and Past Relationships
Ram shared what drew him to Gautami, noting that she was different from others he knew. "I for some reason, maybe because she was not my type, came from a different strata of society, maybe because we became really good friends with no expectations. I don't know. But I never saw her in the same light as I saw all my other acquaintances," he admitted. He recognized her emotional depth, saying, "I kind of knew that she's not like that and she will get emotionally attached. That's the only way she can go forward in any relationship."
Gautami, who had gone through a divorce from her first marriage before meeting Ram, reflected on her unwavering belief in love. "I have always been someone who truly believes in love. I have never carried any emotional baggage about it. When I met him, I saw him as his own person. He was my friend first, and then I fell in love with him," she stated. Ram described her previous marriage simply as "a wrong match" from the start, while Gautami attributed it to her youth and naivety at the time.
Parenthood and Career Sacrifices
The couple delved into their experiences as parents, particularly when Gautami became pregnant with their daughter Sia, which coincided with a major career surge for Ram. Gautami recalled, "We were not planning for a baby and Sia was unplanned." She expressed initial fears, but Ram was thrilled. "Everything new scares her. But I was thrilled," he said. Gautami added, "Ram wasn’t there. When I was pregnant with Sia, Ram had his biggest career surge. It was like Lakshmi had arrived. My pregnancy announcement changed Ram’s fate forever."
Ram confirmed this, noting that his show Kasamh Se skyrocketed to number one when Sia was born, marking a turning point in his television career. "Sia brought me all my luck," he acknowledged, crediting his daughter for his success.
Ram's Candid Admission of Being an Absent Father
In a heartfelt revelation, Ram admitted to being largely absent during the early years of his children's lives due to his demanding career. "The reason I am who I am is solely because of her. She took over the children and the house so amazingly that I didn’t have to worry about it for a single day. That’s why I could focus on my career for 15 long years and become what I have become," he said, praising Gautami as "Mother India."
He continued, "Any successful man is successful because he has a very strong woman who has allowed him to be successful. Otherwise, it’s impossible. I never had to worry about my child. That’s why I was absent. My children didn’t really know me for 10 years." This honest confession highlights the sacrifices made within their marriage, with Gautami's unwavering support enabling Ram's professional achievements while she managed their family life.
Through this interview, Ram Kapoor and Gautami Kapoor offer a rare glimpse into the realities of a long-term Bollywood marriage, blending nostalgia, resilience, and mutual admiration in their enduring partnership.
