Ram Kapoor worked at Starbucks after ‘rich dad’ severed ties with him; they didn’t speak for 10 years: ‘I wanted to act’

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Kapoor shared that his interest in acting began during his teenage years, but his father did not take him seriously. “When I was 13-14, I told him I wanted to become an actor. He didn’t take me seriously, particularly since I was a little kid and he was a very big man. For him, his company was his legacy and everything and he wanted his only son to take it forward. So, when I said I didn’t want to take over his company, I understood what he must have gone through. Then I fled to America and joined the acting school of my choice. I graduated somehow, returned to India and started meeting people (for work). I had to prove, not only to my father but, to my entire family that I was going to do this. I knew everyone was waiting for me to fail because they thought that would bring me back to the ‘right track’,” he said.

Kapoor revealed that his father finally recognised his success when his employees began approaching him for photographs with the actor. “It took 10 years… Then the time came when people in his own office started approaching him asking their boss for photographs with his son. That’s when dad realised I had become something and that I wouldn’t return (to run the company). For 10 years, we didn’t speak much and then he slowly developed a respect for me. After he passed away, four years ago, I got to know from his partners, friends etc how much he respected me.”

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Emphasising that accomplishments earned through struggle and hard work hold greater value, Kapoor also shared a personal anecdote about how his father initially believed he had fled to the US for only a few weeks. “He stopped talking to me and sending me money. I was in America on my own, making money for food and rent. I worked at Starbucks, sold second-hand vehicles etc. But, had that not happened, I wouldn’t have been the man I am today,” he added.