A Look Back At How Alia Bhatt Stood By Ranbir Kapoor’s Side As His Pillar Of Strength, Through Thick And Thin

During the shoot of their much-awaited film Brahmastra, Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor grew close to each other and eventually love blossomed between the two. They made their first public appearance at Sonam Kapoor and Anand Ahuja’s wedding reception and went on to attend many family events together. Fans were over the moon with joy and eagerly awaited news of their wedding. While there have been many ups and downs throughout their journey, one thing has stayed constant in their relationship – Alia has stood by Ranbir’s side like a solid rock.

In September 2018, Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer and had to fly away to US for treatment with his wife Neetu Singh. They were joined by their daughter Riddhima Kapoor and granddaughter Samara, while Ranbir and Alia travelled back and forth in between their shooting schedules. Ranbir, who is a reserved person, is known to be expressive only when he’s with his mother. However, sources close to the couple revealed that all through Rishi Kapoor’s illness, Alia stayed by his side as his best friend and Ranbir was able to be himself around her.

A month later, Ranbir’s grandmother Krishna Raj Kapoor passed away after suffering from cardiac arrest. Unfortunately, Ranbir, Neetu and Rishiwere still in US and could not travel back. However, Alia attended the funeral with his sister Riddhima, Karan Johar and Ayan Mukherji. She was even photographed consoling a heartbroken Riddhima and was constantly connected to Ranbir via video call.

As the year came to an end, Alia joined her beau and his family once again, to bid adieu to 2018. In fact, Neetu Kapoor also shared pictures which gave us fans hope that everything will be better soon. Their bright smiles and happy faces made these snaps picture perfect. 8 months after he left for US, Rishi finally opened up about his condition in May 2019 and assured fans that he was recovering fast. He had added that he would go through a bone-marrow transplant which would take 2 months, but the superstar was excited to come home. While Neetu stayed by his side and Bollywood celebs often dropped in for a sweet visit, Alia and Ranbir continued to travel back and forth and spent as much quality time with Rishi as possible.

After 11 long months and 11 days in US, Rishi finally returned to India in September 2019. Ranbir and Riddhima decorated the house and kept a small get-together for the superstar. Alia also joined the family to welcome the actor back home and pictures of her sporting a bright yellow ensemble soon went viral on social media. Later that month, Ranbir celebrated his birthday with all his near and dear ones. Things seemed to be better and fans were happy for the Kapoors.

The start of 2020, however, was not great for the family. In February, while the entire Kapoor Khaandan began preparations for Ranbir’s cousin Armaan Jain and Anissa Malhotra’s wedding, Ranbir and Alia rushed to Delhi, where Rishi was admitted to a hospital as he caught an infection due to pollution. They returned to Mumbai soon after and while Rishi rested at home, Neetu attended Armaan- Anissa’s wedding reception with Alia and Ranbir by her side. A video of Alia keeping a protective arm around Neetu also went viral.

On 30^th April 2020, Rishi Kapoor breathed his last at a hospital in Mumbai, after his two-year-long battle with leukaemia. As soon as she heard about it, Alia joined Ranbir at the hospital and stayed by Neetu’s side throughout the funeral. Alia even kept Riddhima connected via video call, as she could not reach Mumbai on time for the last rites due to the lockdown.

Sources close to the family also revealed that Alia stayed by Ranbir’s side during the last three weeks and supported the family as much as she could. Not only does she love Ranbir with all her heart, but also considers the Kapoors as her own family. Later at night, Alia penned a beautiful message remembering Rishi Kapoor, the beautiful storyteller, a passionate tweeter and a father. We hope the family finds strength in these tough times and comes out stronger together.