When Kareena and Karisma Kapoor’s father Randhir admitted to being a ‘bad father’: ‘I was a terrible man who….’

In the early 1970s, Randhir Kapoor experienced a fleeting moment of recognition as a leading man. Films like Haath Ki Safai, Chacha Bhatija, Rampur Ka Lakshman, and Jawani Diwani brought him visibility, but sustained success proved elusive. While Randhir struggled to hold his ground, his younger brother Rishi Kapoor entered the industry in 1973 and rapidly captured public affection. Rishi’s effortless charm and consistent box office appeal soon eclipsed Randhir’s career, pushing him into the shadows far earlier than expected.

Career Decline and Personal Turmoil

As professional opportunities dried up, the disappointment began to seep into Randhir’s personal life. The frustration of fading relevance reportedly led him toward excessive drinking, a habit that gradually strained his relationships. The emotional toll of being labelled unsuccessful in an industry obsessed with stardom weighed heavily on him, and his inability to reinvent himself during the changing cinematic landscape of the 1980s deepened the crisis.

Marriage Under Pressure

Randhir married actress Babita in 1971. At the time, Babita was an established name, yet she was compelled to step away from films after marriage due to the Kapoor family’s traditional belief that women should not continue acting. As Randhir’s career faltered and he was increasingly dismissed as a failed actor, tensions grew within the marriage. By then, the couple had welcomed two daughters. In 1988, Randhir moved back to his parents’ home, leaving Babita to single-handedly raise their children, who were still in their teens.

Admissions and Reflections

In an earlier interaction with Hindustan Times, Randhir openly acknowledged that his excessive drinking and erratic lifestyle contributed to the separation. He accepted that his habits clashed with Babita’s expectations and admitted that their differences made coexistence difficult. Despite the separation, he credited Babita for raising their daughters with dedication and ensuring they flourished professionally.

“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 was, though it was a love marriage. So it’s okay.." he explained.

Calling Himself a Flawed Father

During a radio conversation with film journalist Bhawna Somaiya, Randhir described himself as irresponsible and carefree, confessing that he never pushed himself hard once age caught up with him. He admitted to turning down work offers, explaining that financial ambition no longer motivated him. According to him, his daughters’ success brought him peace, as their earnings far surpassed his own, leaving him content with a simple life.

"That way I have been a very bad father but then main bawla hoon, everyone knows I am a bit mad" he said.

Pride in His Daughters’ Success

Initially resistant to Karisma Kapoor entering films, Randhir later accepted her decision and took pride in her rise as one of the most successful actresses of the 1990s and early 2000s. Her younger sister Kareena Kapoor Khan went on to become an enduring force in Bollywood. Randhir has since acknowledged that both his daughters have achieved a level of wealth and stability he never reached.

An Unconventional Bond

Speaking to Mumbai Mirror, Randhir once remarked that despite their long separation, Babita remained his wife in spirit, and neither chose to remarry. He humorously admitted to being a difficult husband while expressing deep satisfaction over his daughters’ settled lives, often joking that they should adopt him so he too could share in their prosperity.