‘Dining with the Kapoors’: Tarun Mansukhani Reveals the Fun, Chaos, and Heart Behind Netflix’s Intimate Family Special
Bollywood’s first family is returning to screens — not for a film, but for an intimate, unscripted gathering captured in Netflix’s upcoming special ‘Dining with the Kapoors’, releasing November 21.
Bringing together three generations of the legendary Kapoor clan, the one-hour special promises warmth, nostalgia, unfiltered conversations, and of course, a deep love for food.
In a candid conversation with IANS, filmmaker Tarun Mansukhani, the creative producer of the streaming special, opened up about what it was like to shoot with one of the most iconic dynasties in Indian cinema.
Directed by Smriti Mundhra and conceptualized by Armaan Jain, the documentary-style special marks the centenary celebration of Raj Kapoor, one of Bollywood’s greatest showmen, and recalls the enduring legacy of Prithviraj Kapoor, the patriarch of India’s first film dynasty.
The gathering includes a rare collective appearance by the family’s biggest names:
- Randhir Kapoor
- Neetu Kapoor
- Rima Jain
- Ranbir Kapoor
- Karisma Kapoor
- Kareena Kapoor Khan
- Saif Ali Khan
- Riddhima Kapoor Sahni
- Aadar Jain
This once-in-a-generation coming together forms the heart of the special — a look at the Kapoors not as stars, but as a family.
Key Moments: Chaos, Candidness & Fly-on-the-Wall Filming
When asked to describe the experience of shooting with the Kapoor family, Tarun Mansukhani had one word:
“Chaotic— but chaotic in a fun way.”
He explained that the special had no script, which made the process both challenging and refreshing:
“It’s reality. You want them to be as authentic as possible. Our job was simply to step away, keep the cameras rolling, and let them be themselves. What viewers will see is the family exactly as they are.”
The filmmaker revealed that unlike structured shoots, this documentary-style project demanded invisibility from the crew. The intention was to avoid intrusion and allow the natural rhythms of family conversations, jokes, and emotions to unfold.
Journey Through Legacy: The Kapoor Family as They Are
The special attempts to present the Kapoors beyond the glamour and legacy often associated with them. It highlights:
- Their camaraderie
- Their shared memories
- Their effortless humour
- Their warmth during family meals
- Their deep bonds over food
With a “fly-on-the-wall” filming approach, viewers get an unfiltered seat at the table — quite literally — witnessing moments that are rarely seen beyond private family gatherings.
From playful teasing between siblings to thoughtful reflections on their heritage, ‘Dining with the Kapoors’ positions itself as a tribute to togetherness.
Reactions: Director Smriti Mundhra on Capturing Authenticity
Director Smriti Mundhra, known for her work on ‘Indian Matchmaking’, ‘The Romantics’, and ‘Never Have I Ever’, expressed her excitement about returning to Netflix with a project rooted deeply in Indian cultural memory.
In her statement, she said:
“This project feels like homecoming. Telling a story about the importance of family and the value of legacy, at a time when life is pulling us away from those things, feels very special.”
She emphasized the universal appeal of the Kapoor family:
“The Kapoors are not just Bollywood royalty; they are the kind of family we all secretly wish to be a part of — tightly knit, full of fun, and absolutely obsessed with food.”
Mundhra shared that her vision was to capture the feeling of being at the table with them, listening to tales from Bollywood's golden era, laughter-filled arguments, and heartfelt memories.
“I’m grateful to Armaan Jain and the entire Kapoor clan for trusting me with a slice of their legacy,” she added.
Impact: Why ‘Dining with the Kapoors’ Matters
Beyond its entertainment value, the special arrives at a meaningful moment for Indian audiences:
1. A rare collective appearance by the entire Kapoor family
Such a gathering—spanning multiple generations—has not been seen onscreen in years. For fans, it’s both nostalgic and culturally significant.
2. Celebrating 100 years of Raj Kapoor
The centenary marks not just a milestone for the family, but a milestone for the Indian film industry itself.
3. Rise of documentary-style celebrity content
With growing interest in behind-the-scenes celebrity life, the special taps into a global trend of intimate, unscripted content.
4. Reinforcing the importance of family in modern India
In fast-paced urban lifestyles, the special highlights the value of pausing, sharing memories, and cherishing family time.
5. A tribute to Bollywood’s heritage
Through personal stories and private anecdotes, the special becomes an archive of Indian cinema’s greatest moments, told through its most influential family.
‘Dining with the Kapoors’ isn’t just a celebrity home video — it is an emotional, humorous, and tender exploration of India’s most beloved film family.
By capturing them without performance or glamour, the special offers viewers a chance to witness the Kapoors as they are: warm, spirited, bonded, and firmly rooted in their legacy.
With Tarun Mansukhani’s candid revelations and Smriti Mundhra’s documentary-style lens, the Netflix special is set to be one of the most intimate portrayals of Bollywood royalty yet.
Final Thoughts from TheTrendingPeople.com
‘Dining with the Kapoors’ celebrates not just a family but an era of Indian cinema that shaped generations. The unscripted chaos, laughter, and nostalgia offer a refreshing break from conventional celebrity portrayals, reminding audiences that even the biggest stars are, at heart, a family with stories, memories, and traditions worth cherishing.
As the special premieres on November 21, viewers can expect a warm, nostalgic, and deeply human experience.