“Being in front of the camera for a show made me comfortable."
Riddhima Kapoor Sahni is stepping into Bollywood on her own terms.
At 45, she is making her acting debut in Daadi Ki Shaadi, a wedding comedy releasing on May 8, 2026.
The daughter of the late Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, Riddhima’s entry into films arrives decades after her family became industry mainstays.
She said: “It truly feels surreal and deeply emotional. There’s a sense of everything coming full circle.
“I know my father is always with me, blessing me in anything and everything that I choose to do. That thought gives me a lot of strength and comfort.”
A Late Debut rooted in Family and Resilience
Riddhima faced the camera on a film set for the first time last year. The shift marked a significant moment, both professionally and personally.
She said: “Honestly, the biggest challenge was stepping into an entirely new world at this stage of life.
“There’s a certain vulnerability in starting fresh, but also a lot of excitement at the same time.”
Filming Daadi Ki Shaadi, directed by Ashish R Mohan, also meant stepping away from home in a new way.
It was the first time since her father’s cancer treatment in New York in 2019 that she left her daughter alone in their New Delhi home.
Riddhima is not entirely new to being on camera, having appeared on Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives in 2024, produced by Karan Johar.
She said: “Being in front of the camera for a show made me comfortable.
“It gave me a sense of ease and familiarity, which definitely made this transition smoother.”
Her debut also brings her closer to family on screen. She stars alongside her mother, Neetu Kapoor, who plays her on-screen mother.
Riddhima admitted: “Working with mom was incredibly special. I discovered how effortless and instinctive she is as an actor.”
The opportunity came through a recommendation from co-star Kapil Sharma.
“I haven’t really asked him why directly.
“But I think he saw a certain honesty or relatability in me. I’m just grateful he recommended my name.”
Guidance and Legacy
Before stepping onto set, Riddhima Kapoor turned to her brother, Ranbir Kapoor, for advice.
Revealing Ranbir’s advice, Riddhima said:
“Stay natural and don’t overthink. Just feel the moment. That really helped me ease into my performance.”
The film also marks a small on-screen appearance for her daughter, Samara Sahni.
Riddhima’s debut arrives during a busy period for the Kapoor family.
Ranbir Kapoor and Alia Bhatt are set to star together in Love & War, alongside their individual projects Ramayana and Alpha.
Riddhima added: “It’s such an exciting time for all of us.
“I’m incredibly proud of both Ranbir and Alia; they are doing such amazing work. As a family, we’ve always cheered each other on, and I can’t wait to see all these films on screen.”
Her entry into Bollywood challenges the conventional timeline of a debut.
It reflects a shift in how careers in the industry can begin, shaped less by age and more by personal readiness.
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