Netflix’s latest special, Dining With the Kapoors, has quickly become a talking point across the country, not just for bringing together some of Bollywood’s most recognisable faces, but for focusing on a deeper, lesser-known branch of the legendary Kapoor family tree. Created to commemorate Raj Kapoor’s 100th birth anniversary, the episode gathers the vast Kapoor clan under one roof for a nostalgic lunch at the iconic Deonar Cottage, the home that shaped generations of the family.
The one-hour Netflix special offers a rare, intimate look at the family’s shared memories which includes stories of childhood mischief, holiday traditions, festive gatherings, and the emotional weight of legacy. But what truly intrigued viewers was the unexpected connection between Karisma Kapoor and Shweta Bachchan, one that unfolded casually during a playful conversation on the show.
The surprise Karisma–Shweta connection
While fans are familiar with Karisma and Kareena Kapoor as the daughters of Randhir Kapoor, and Shweta Bachchan as the daughter of Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, not everyone knew how the Bachchan lineage intertwined with the Kapoors. The link comes through Ritu Nanda, the daughter of Raj Kapoor and mother of industrialist Nikhil Nanda. Nikhil married Shweta Bachchan, making Shweta the daughter-in-law of Raj Kapoor’s daughter and connecting the two powerful film dynasties.
This makes Karisma and Kareena Kapoor cousins of Shweta’s children, Navya Naveli Nanda and Agastya Nanda. In the special, Ranbir Kapoor humorously tries to decode his relationship with Navya, calling himself her cousin, while Navya insists he is her ‘chacha.’ It takes Riddhima Kapoor Sahni to finally untangle the puzzle, confirming that she is Navya’s bua, placing Ranbir in the corresponding position.
This surprising revelation has instantly become one of the most talked-about aspects of the special.
Who all from Kapoor family appears in Dining With the Kapoors
Beyond the well-known faces, Dining With the Kapoors sheds light on several lesser-known members of the family.
Navya Naveli Nanda
As the great-granddaughter of Raj Kapoor through his daughter Ritu Nanda, Navya’s presence in the lunch adds to the merging of the Bachchan–Kapoor family roots. Her warm camaraderie with her cousins fuels some of the episode’s sweetest moments.
Agastya Nanda
Navya’s brother and another great-grandchild of Raj Kapoor, Agastya, who appeared but did not join the lunch, has been making headlines with his upcoming film Ikkis.
Nitasha Nanda
Lovingly called Tashu, Nitasha represents the Ritu Nanda branch of the family. She is the sister of Nikhil Nanda and granddaughter of Raj Kapoor.
Zahan Kapoor
A rising actor noted for his performance in Black Warrant, Zahan is the grandson of Shashi Kapoor, Raj Kapoor’s younger brother. The special lightly touches on his lineage while focusing more on the Raj Kapoor branch.
Shaira Laura Kapoor
Sister to Zahan, Shaira works primarily as a set designer and is part of the artistic legacy of both the Kapoor and Sippy families.
Kunal Kapoor
Son of Shashi Kapoor and father to Zahan and Shaira, Kunal has long stepped away from acting but continues to be the warm host of the Kapoor Christmas lunch each year.
Jatin Prithviraj Kapoor
Known to television audiences as Jatin Sial, he is the grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor through his daughter Urmila, the only sister to Raj, Shashi, and Shammi Kapoor.
Namita Kapur
Connected through her grandmother Urmila Sial, Namita also represents the lesser-covered female line of the Kapoor ancestry.
Neila Shammi Kapoor
The dignified presence of Neila Devi, wife of actor Shammi Kapoor, adds a touching generational depth to the episode.
Kanchan Desai
Daughter of Shammi Kapoor and actress Geeta Bali, Kanchan grew up under the loving care of stepmother Neila Devi and now carries forward the family legacy with grace.
Pooja Desai
Granddaughter of Shammi Kapoor and daughter of Kanchan and filmmaker Ketan Desai, Pooja also appears as part of the extended clan.
Rima Jain and Family
The youngest daughter of Raj Kapoor, Rima attends the documentary with her husband Manoj Jain and their sons Aadar Jain and Armaan Jain, the latter also serving as host of the family lunch.
Randhir Kapoor
Raj Kapoor’s eldest son, Randhir sits at the head of the table of his branch, representing the lineage that produced Bollywood stars Karisma and Kareena Kapoor.
Karisma Kapoor
Karisma was the first granddaughter of the Kapoor family to join Hindi films. Her entry marked the beginning of a new phase, where Kapoor women also started working in front of the camera.
Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan
Kareena attends with her husband Saif, adding further star power to the gathering.
Neetu Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni
Representing the lineage of the late Rishi Kapoor, Neetu was a part of the Netflix special with her children, Ranbir and Riddhima.
Who was missing from the Dining With the Kapoors
Despite the grand scale of the gathering, a few family members were missing from the episode. Babita, Randhir Kapoor’s wife and mother of Karisma and Kareena, did not attend. Alia Bhatt also skipped the lunch, though she supported the special online. Shweta Bachchan Nanda, who plays an important role in connecting the Bachchan and Kapoor families, was absent as well. Nikhil Nanda, son of Ritu Nanda and another key link between the two families, was also not part of the episode.
Why the Netflix special resonates with the fans
What makes Dining With the Kapoors special is that it shows a rare blend of glamour and family. This is not only a star-studded gathering, it shows the legacy, loss, shared memories, and the imprint of the legendary Raj Kapoor on the family.