Kareena Kapoor Khan, a leading Bollywood actress, recently sparked discussion with a statement about her and her sister Karisma Kapoor’s role in upholding the Kapoor family’s cinematic legacy, emphasizing their contributions before their cousin Ranbir Kapoor entered the industry. In a July 2025 interview, Kareena credited herself and Karisma for carrying forward the family’s storied tradition in Bollywood, a comment that some interpreted as downplaying Ranbir’s role. This article explores her statement, the context of the Kapoor family’s legacy, public reactions, and the careers of Kareena, Karisma, and Ranbir, drawing on sources like Hindustan Times, News18, and posts on X.
The Statement and Its Context
In a conversation with journalist Barkha Dutt for Mojo Story in June 2025, Kareena reflected on the Kapoor family’s legacy, saying, “I think we’ve carried on the Kapoor legacy. It was only me and Karisma before Ranbir came in. So the two girls, actually like my mother says, they’re not tigresses, they are tigers because they did take the legacy forward.” She highlighted how she and Karisma, as the first women from the Kapoor family to break into mainstream cinema, paved the way in a male-dominated lineage that included their father Randhir Kapoor, grandfather Raj Kapoor, and great-grandfather Prithviraj Kapoor.
The Kapoor family, often called Bollywood royalty, has been a cornerstone of Indian cinema since the 1920s through the R.K. Films banner. Karisma debuted in 1991 with Prem Qaidi, becoming the first Kapoor woman to star in films, defying family tradition. Kareena followed in 2000 with Refugee, establishing herself as a versatile actress. Ranbir, son of Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh, debuted in 2007 with Saawariya. Kareena’s comment underscored that she and Karisma were trailblazers for the family’s female actors, carrying the legacy for nearly two decades before Ranbir’s arrival.
Clarifying the Narrative
Some media outlets and fans initially misinterpreted Kareena’s statement as suggesting Ranbir did not contribute to the Kapoor legacy. Posts on X, like @Showbiz_IT’s “Kareena Kapoor says she and Karisma carried the family legacy, not Ranbir,” fueled this perception. However, others, like @rayfilm, clarified: “Kareena DID NOT say that Ranbir didn’t carry the legacy. She said Kapoor sisters carried it before Ranbir came in.” Kareena’s focus was on the timeline, emphasizing that Karisma (debuting 34 years ago) and herself (25 years ago) established the family’s female presence in Bollywood before Ranbir’s debut 18 years ago.
Kareena has consistently praised Ranbir’s talent, calling him a “deadly combination” of his parents Rishi and Neetu in a 2024 Ranveer Show interview, noting his unique charisma and confidence. Her statement was not a dismissal of Ranbir’s contributions but a celebration of the sisters’ pioneering roles. Karisma’s blockbusters like Raja Hindustani (1996) and Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), and Kareena’s versatile performances in Chameli (2004) and Jab We Met (2007), set a foundation that Ranbir built upon with films like Rockstar (2011) and Animal (2023).
The Kapoor Family Legacy
The Kapoor family’s influence spans generations:
- Prithviraj Kapoor: Founded R.K. Films and Prithvi Theatre, starring in Mughal-e-Azam (1960).
- Raj Kapoor: Directed classics like Awara (1951), elevating Bollywood’s global reach.
- Rishi Kapoor: A romantic hero in the 1970s–80s, later excelling in character roles.
- Randhir Kapoor: Acted in and directed Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) and Henna (1991).
- Karisma and Kareena: Broke gender barriers, with Karisma dominating the 1990s and Kareena balancing mainstream and art-house films.
- Ranbir: A critically acclaimed actor with seven Filmfare Awards, known for Barfi! (2012) and Ramayana (2025).
Karisma’s debut marked a shift, as Kapoor women were traditionally discouraged from acting. Kareena’s 25-year career, with hits like Singham Again (2024), and Karisma’s 34-year journey made them pioneers. Ranbir, debuting later, has been lauded as the “chirag” (torchbearer) of the family, but Kareena’s statement highlights the sisters’ earlier contributions.
Public and Fan Reactions
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