Ironically the two almost came together in roles that cast them in mutual conflict.
If all had gone well Rishi and Randhir Kapoor would have come together for the first time in Shimit Amin's Rocket Singh Salesman Of The Year, though not in their real-life roles of father and son.
Everyone at Yashraj Films was keen that Rishi Kapoor play the role of Ranbir's scheming boss, the part that has finally been played by the little-known actor Manish Choudhary.
But then Aditya Chopra in all his wisdom, put his foot down.
Says a source, "The entire Yashraj team was all for casting Rishi Kapoor as Ranbir's boss. Even Ranbir who had planned to cast his dad in his film, relented. Only Adi thought audiences would not accept Rishi Kapoor as a negative boss to his own son. We had to relent."
Rishi Kapoor confirms that he was indeed considered seriously for Ranbir's boss' part. "I am told all at Yashraj wanted me to play the role. They finally decided otherwise. I think they felt the baap-beta jodi wouldn't be acceptable as boss- employee."
However Rishi is all praise for the actor who replaces him in the film. "Manish is the discovery of the year."
As for his own son the exacting father comments, "Ranbir has lived the character pf Rocket Singh, though I feel there should've been more Punjabiyat in his speech, " says the proud father.
Ranbir who has been waiting bated breath to get his father's approval finally got a thumbs-up from his dad when close family members of the cast and crew watched the film on Wednesday evening
. This was the first occasion when Rishi actually expressed appreciation for his son's performance and therefore a very special moment for Ranbir.
"Dad is my greatest critic. He's such a brilliant actor, I can never match him. When he said he liked my performance in Rocket Singh I finally felt I had given a decent performance, " says Ranbir.
