Veteran actor Randhir Kapoor, the eldest son of legendary Raj Kapoor and father to actresses Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor Khan, has experienced both triumphs and tribulations in his life. In a candid past interview, he opened up about his laid-back approach to his career and the struggles in his marriage to Babita Kapoor.
Taking Responsibility for Marital Struggles
Appearing on the show Yaadein BTown Ki – Is Duniya Ke Sitaray, hosted by Javed Jaffrey, Randhir spoke honestly about the difficulties in his marriage. “I take full responsibility for everything. Whatever happened was in the spur of the moment. Even today, Babita is my wife, and will always be. Karisma and Kareena are my daughters, and only they will be my kids. I am a human, I do make mistakes, and I am working on it. We are together,” he said.
Reflections on His Relationship with Babita
Randhir also reflected on his bond with his co-stars, including Babita. “I married my first time heroine. I did my first directorial film Kal, Aaj, Aur Kal with Babita. We both liked each other, and then we married. She gave me two lovely daughters. All my heroines became my boyfriends. Because of my on-screen image, no one took me seriously. They started not taking me as their boyfriend, but we became buddies. I was a shoulder to cry on, and Babita was their best friend,” he shared.
In an earlier interview with Hindustan Times, he acknowledged the reasons behind their separation. “She found that I was a terrible man who drank a lot and came home late, which was something she didn’t like. And I didn’t want to live the way she wanted, and she couldn’t accept me as I am, though it was a love marriage. So it’s okay. We had two lovely children to look after. She brought them up in the best way, and they have excelled in their career. What else could I have asked for as a father?”
Admitting Career Complacency
During his chat with Javed Jaffrey, Randhir also confessed that he did not always take his career seriously. “I was a happy-go-lucky man. I was a lazy chap. I grew irresponsible. I am to be blamed for that,” he admitted.
Marriage and Reconciliation Timeline
According to reports, Randhir first met Babita in 1969, and the two dated for a couple of years before tying the knot in 1971. They welcomed daughter Karisma in 1974 and Kareena in 1980. However, the couple separated in 1988 and lived apart for decades before eventually reconciling in 2023.
Randhir Kapoor's journey reflects the complexities of personal and professional life, and his candid admissions offer a glimpse into the challenges faced by even the most celebrated families in Bollywood.
