12 May,2026 03:24 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ranbir Kapoor, Natalie Portman and Quentin Tarantino (Instagram)
Ranbir Kapoor recently opened up about some awkward yet unforgettable encounters with Hollywood celebrities, revealing how his admiration for global cinema icons once led to embarrassing fan moments. The actor shared amusing stories involving filmmaker Quentin Tarantino, actress Natalie Portman and legendary actor Al Pacino while promoting his upcoming film Ramayana at an international event in Los Angeles.
Speaking during an interaction with international media, Ranbir described himself as a complete film enthusiast who has spent decades watching movies and admiring actors from around the world. Reflecting on his experiences, he revealed that not all celebrity encounters went smoothly despite his excitement to meet his idols.
While speaking to Collider, Ranbir shared, "I am a geek when it comes to films. I have been watching a film a day for the last 35 years. Apart from my local heroes where I grew up in India, whenever I have travelled, I have been shooed away by Natalie Portman. Quentin Tarantino has shown me the finger. I have met Bill Murray. Have stood outside when Al Pacino was doing a reading of Salome on Broadway. I was a student at that time and stood outside for 3 hours just to get a shout out from him. I met Robert De Niro in India. These are my screen idols and just to meet them has give me immense joy."
The actor recalled an incident involving Quentin Tarantino during a film promotion abroad several years ago. Ranbir said he was thrilled to discover that the acclaimed director, known for films like Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill: Volume 1, was nearby giving interviews. Eager to get a picture, he rushed toward Tarantino and repeatedly called out his name. However, according to Ranbir, the filmmaker ignored his requests and gestured dismissively before leaving in his car.
Ranbir also spoke about an awkward interaction with Natalie Portman while he was in New York. He shared that he spotted the Oscar-winning actress on the street and excitedly ran after her asking for a photograph. Unaware that Portman was emotional and speaking on the phone at the time, Ranbir continued approaching her until she firmly told him to "get lost." The actor admitted the moment left him heartbroken, though he added that it never reduced his admiration for her work.
Another memory that stayed with the actor involved Al Pacino. Ranbir revealed that during his student days, he once stood outside a Broadway reading of Salome for nearly three hours hoping to catch a glimpse of the Hollywood legend or receive a simple acknowledgement from him.
Despite the awkward experiences, Ranbir said meeting such legendary artists has always brought him immense joy because cinema has played a huge role in his life. The actor explained that he has always dreamed of taking stories rooted in Indian culture to a global audience. While promoting Ramayana in Los Angeles, he reflected on how surreal it felt to finally present an Indian mythological epic on an international platform.
The actor's candid stories quickly went viral online, with fans praising his honesty and relatable fanboy moments. Social media users also revisited older interviews where Ranbir had previously narrated the same incidents with humour and self-awareness.
