Alia Bhatt met Ranbir Kapoor at age 9; years later love blossomed. But who flirted first?

Alia Bhatt and Ranbir Kapoor are among the most talked-about couples in the Indian film industry. Their love story, which blossomed over years and culminated in marriage and parenthood, has often intrigued fans. While many assumed Alia had always admired Ranbir, the real question that continued to float around was—who made the first move? As it turns out, the answer lies in a few candid moments the couple shared during interviews and public appearances.

A Childhood Shoot That Sparked a Connection Years Later

The first meeting between Alia and Ranbir dates back to a time when acting wasn’t even on her immediate horizon. During promotions for their film Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, Ranbir recalled an early encounter when both were part of a photoshoot organized by director Sanjay Leela Bhansali. He shared that Bhansali was then considering a project titled Balika Vadhu, and Ranbir, who was working as an assistant director, participated in a test shoot with Alia, who was just nine years old at the time. Ranbir noted, “Actually nobody knows this, but Mr Sanjay Leela Bhansali had done a small photoshoot, because at one point he wanted to make a film called Balika Vadhu. That time I was his assistant and I was around 20 years old and she was 9 years old. And we did a photoshoot together.”

Years later, Alia admitted to having been drawn to Ranbir ever since she first saw him on screen. Recalling her early feelings, she said, “When I saw Ranbir first time onscreen, I was like ‘something is there, some connection is there, I love this person’.” She also shared that she had noticed him long before he ever really noticed her. Though they would occasionally meet socially, she clarified that they were not even friends back then.

The First Move Came from Ranbir

The turning point came during a flight they took together while preparing for Brahmāstra. It was during this trip that Ranbir began to flirt with Alia, initiating what would eventually become a five-year relationship. Speaking about that moment, Alia said, “But then this one flight to Brahmāstra prep, he started flirting.” Ranbir confirmed it with a smile, saying simply, “I flirted.”

This moment confirmed that while Alia had admired Ranbir from afar for years, it was ultimately Ranbir who took the first step toward turning that connection into a relationship.

Marriage and Parenthood

After years of dating, the couple tied the knot on April 14, 2022, in a private ceremony at their Mumbai home, Vastu, attended by close family and friends. Later that year, on November 6, they welcomed their daughter, Raha Kapoor.

Speculation about Alia's second pregnancy began circulating after her appearance at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Dressed in elegant couture, Alia’s looks caught the attention of fans who began to wonder if she might be expecting again. While there has been no confirmation, Alia did mention on Jay Shetty’s podcast that she and Ranbir had already picked out names for their second child well in advance. She revealed that Neetu Kapoor, Ranbir’s mother, had suggested the name “Raha,” which the couple instantly loved.

Professional Collaborations Ahead

Alia and Ranbir are not just partners in life but also in cinema. The two are set to appear together again in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s upcoming project Love & War, scheduled for release in 2026. They will also reunite in the sequel to Brahmāstra, titled Brahmāstra: Part Two – Dev. Meanwhile, Alia has a packed schedule ahead with her next releases including Jigra in October 2024 and the action thriller Alpha in December 2025.