Before beginning his acting journey with filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya (2007), Ranbir Kapoor assisted him on Black (2005). And he recalls how he learnt some lessons about filmmaking then.

“Mr Sanjay Leela Bhansali used to really treat me as an assistant director... He used to hit us, abuse us, and I’m sure dada ji (late filmmaker-actor Raj Kapoor) used to do the same. It only hardens you and prepares you for the world. You understand filmmaking, there is much more to it,” said Ranbir, who was in the Capital recently. When quizzed what he’d ask his grandfather if he was still alive, Ranbir said , “I’d like to have a drink with him and chat. I’m very interested in making a biopic about him.”

The 39-year-old also highlighted the differences in the filmmaking process today versus his grandfather’s time, saying: “They truly made films like kings. I’m not saying my age as a filmmaker and actor is only running behind the commercial aspect of filmmaking. I think cinema is something we learn from people like Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt — the kind of stories they sold, the kind of values they spoke of in their films, they inspire us (even now).”

Ranbir also shared that he has heard stories of Raj Kapoor’s house being mortgaged and his late grandmother Krishna Kapoor’s jewellery being sold to complete a film.

He clarified that things aren’t as rosy in showbiz as they appear on the surface, particularly when it comes to certain notions that people may encounter when aspiring to be actors. “There’s this misconception that in order to get into movies, you must take dance classes, learn horseback riding, and become an actor. But there’s a lot [more] that goes into what we do. There’s an understanding of storytelling and complex human emotions,” he shared.

As the discussion steered to his father, late actor Rishi Kapoor, Ranbir recalled that as a kid, he used to be “petrified” of him. He added that even though his father seemed to be hard on the outside, he was kind. “We miss him dearly,” Ranbir ended.