Alia Bhatt missing from ‘Dining With the Kapoors- Here’s why

With Dining With the Kapoors now streaming on Netflix, viewers have been quick to praise the rare, candid glimpse into Bollywood’s most iconic film family.

The show brings together several generations of the Kapoor clan, including Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, and cousins Armaan and Aadar Jain, for an intimate family dinner filled with unfiltered conversations.

But as audiences tuned in, many immediately spotted one noticeable absence: Alia Bhatt. While Saif Ali Khan joined the family table, Alia did not appear in the show, prompting widespread speculation.

Armaan Jain Clarifies Why Alia Couldn’t Attend

Responding to the growing curiosity, creator Armaan Jain addressed the reason behind his sister-in-law’s absence in a conversation with Bollywood Hungama.
“She had prior commitments to shoot. I might sound filmy, but like Raj Kapoor said, ‘work is worship,’” he explained, confirming that Alia’s schedule kept her from participating, Hindustan Times reported.

Armaan, son of Rima Jain and first cousin to Kareena, Karisma, and Ranbir, originally conceptualised the show and brought the idea to Netflix, leading to the now-popular special.

Director Smriti Mundhra on the Kapoor Work Ethic

Show director Smriti Mundhra, known for The Romantics, also weighed in on the family’s dynamic.
“That is the one thing about this family. They are all workaholics, and they all love what they do,” she said, Hindustan Times quoted.
“There is always an understanding that everyone makes an attempt to gather and prioritise as much as possible, but inevitably there’s one or two people who can’t make it because of work, and that’s always allowed,” as quoted by Hindustan Times.

A Look Back at the Kapoor Legacy

The Kapoors remain one of India’s most celebrated film families, with a lineage that began with Prithviraj Kapoor in the 1930s. His sons, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, and Shashi Kapoor, became some of Indian cinema’s most beloved stars, followed by the next generation featuring Rishi, Randhir, and Rajiv Kapoor.

Netflix’s Dining With the Kapoors, which premiered on November 21, gives fans a long-awaited, behind-the-scenes peek into the personalities and relationships within this legendary family.