7 Aug 2025 (Punjab Khabarnama Bureau) Ranbir Kapoor fondly recalled forging a meaningful connection with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan long before they ever shared screen space. He remembered being just 15—an assistant on his father Rishi Kapoor’s 1999 film Aa Ab Laut Chalen—when Aishwarya, busy shooting Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, would take time to chat with him. “Even though I was younger than her, she really befriended me and we used to chat about movies… we used to have a meal together, we used to chat about life,” he told Mashable India
He reflected on how rare and precious such connections are: “I am really happy that I have had that friendship with her.” Later, when meeting her again on the sets of Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, he noticed that her warmth and humility remained unchanged. “To me, she will always be the girl who hung out with me on my father’s set.”
What Makes Such Bonds So Enriching?
A psychotherapist, Delnna Rrajesh, provides insight into why these seemingly ordinary moments leave a lasting impact:
- Emotional equality matters: Regardless of fame or age, being treated as an equal—as Ranbir was by Aishwarya—engenders trust and presence.
- Humility invites growth: Aishwarya’s grounded nature—free of ego—created a space for genuine dialogue and emotional resonance.
- Presence over advice: Real influence often comes from how someone “carries themselves” in small exchanges—not grand gestures. This quiet energy can shape us long after the moment passes .
These memories highlight how simple, kind gestures—a friendly chat, genuine listening—can imprint deeply, especially when they defy expected roles or hierarchies. Ranbir’s reflection is a beautiful reminder that sometimes, the most enriching connections come from the quietest moments.