Ranbir Kapoor Shares Story Behind His Name in Netflix’s Dining With The Kapoors

Netflix’s newly released special Dining with the Kapoors has offered audiences a rare, heartwarming glimpse into the private world of Indian cinema’s most enduring family dynasty. The one-hour programme, which premiered globally on November 21, 2025, brings together six prominent members of the Kapoor clan (Randhir Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Rima Jain, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Ranbir Kapoor) around a dining table laden with home-cooked classics, as they trade stories, laughter, and nostalgia centred on the legendary Raj Kapoor.

Among the many revelations, Ranbir Kapoor disclosed the touching origin of his own name. The 43-year-old actor explained that his grandfather, the iconic showman Raj Kapoor, was born Ranbir Raj Kapoor (a fact little known outside the family). Raj Kapoor rarely used his first name publicly, signing cheques and documents as “Ranbir Raj Kapoor” while being addressed simply as Raj. When Rishi and Neetu Kapoor welcomed their son in 1982, the family’s long-standing tradition of naming children with the letter “R” appeared to have run dry. It was the late Shammi Kapoor who suggested honouring the patriarch by bestowing his unused first name on the newborn.

“My family was running out of names from R,” Ranbir said with a chuckle, recounting how Shammi Kapoor turned to Raj Kapoor and proposed, “Since you have not used this name, let’s give it to him.” The decision instantly transformed the infant into a living tribute, ensuring that the rarely spoken “Ranbir” would echo through another generation of the Kapoor legacy.

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The special, created by Armaan Jain and directed by Smriti Mundhra (best known for Indian Matchmaking), captures the effortless warmth that has long defined the Kapoors off-screen. Conversations flow from childhood memories at the now-demolished R.K. Studio to Raj Kapoor’s legendary love for lavish meals, with each family member sharing personal anecdotes that humanise one of Bollywood’s most storied families.

Beyond the name revelation, the programme celebrates the unbreakable bond that has sustained the Kapoors through triumphs, tragedies, and nearly a century in the public eye. From Kareena and Karisma reminiscing about their grandfather’s larger-than-life personality to Neetu Kapoor recalling quiet family moments, Dining with the Kapoors serves as both a tribute to Raj Kapoor’s enduring influence and a testament to the love that continues to unite his descendants.

Streaming worldwide on Netflix, the special has quickly become a favourite among fans, blending nostalgia, humour, and heartfelt emotion in a way that only the Kapoors could deliver. For millions of viewers, Ranbir’s story has added a poignant new layer to his public persona: a name not merely inherited, but carefully chosen to carry forward the spirit of Indian cinema’s greatest showman.

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