Veteran Bollywood actress Neetu Singh boasts a remarkable career and a captivating personal life. This comprehensive biography delves into her life, from her early years to her enduring legacy in the Indian film industry.
Wiki/Biography
Neetu Singh was born on Tuesday, July 8, 1958 (age 65 as of 2023), in Delhi. Her zodiac sign is Cancer. She completed her schooling at Hill Grange High School, Mumbai.
Physical Appearance
• Height: 5′ 5″
• Eye Colour: Black
• Hair Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Born into a Jatt Sikh family, Neetu is the only child of her parents, Late Darshan Singh and Late Rajee Kaur. Sadly, she lost her father at a young age and was raised by her mother. This experience shaped her strength and resilience.
Relationships, Husband & Children
Neetu met Rishi Kapoor, a veteran Bollywood actor, during a film shoot. Their five-year courtship culminated in a high-profile wedding on January 22, 1980, at the Chembur Golf Course Post in Mumbai, followed by a reception at RK Studio. The couple welcomed two children: Riddhima Kapoor Sahni (born September 15, 1980), a fashion designer married to Bharat Sahni, and Ranbir Kapoor (born September 28, 1982), a renowned Bollywood actor. Tragically, Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020, after a battle with leukemia.
Career
Neetu’s acting career began as a child artist in “Suraj” (1966). She appeared in several other films as a child actor, including “Dus Lakh” (1966), “Do Kaliyaan” (1968), “Waris” (1969), and “Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani” (1970). Her debut as a female lead was in “Rikshawala” (1972). She starred alongside Rishi Kapoor (then her boyfriend) in 12 films, including notable hits like “Zehreela Insaan” (1974), “Khel Khel Mein” (1975), “Rafoo Chakkar” (1975), “Kabhie Kabhie” (1976), “Amar Akbar Anthony” (1977), and “Dhan Daulat” (1980). After marriage, she took a break from acting at the age of 21, returning to the screen in 2009 with “Love Aaj Kal”. She later appeared in supporting roles in films such as “Do Dooni Chaar” (2010), “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” (2012), and “Besharam” (2013).
Controversy
In 1997, reports surfaced of a police complaint filed by Neetu against Rishi Kapoor for alleged domestic violence. However, these reports were later denied, and attributed to rumors. Ranbir Kapoor, in an interview, candidly discussed his parents’ troubled marriage and its impact on his childhood. He described experiencing the hardships of their relationship firsthand.
Favourites
• Cuisines: Japanese and Lebanese
• Actor(s): Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan
• Restaurant: China Garden in Mumbai
Facts/Trivia
• Her real name is Harneet Kaur.
• She trained in dance at Vyjayanthimala’s dance school in Bombay.
• Vyjayanthimala discovered Neetu and cast her as a child artist in “Suraj”.
• Neetu’s mother played her on-screen mother in “Rani Aur Lalpari” (1975).
• Rishi Kapoor famously expressed his love for Neetu with a telegram during the filming of “Barood” (1976).
• Neetu’s mother initially disapproved of her relationship with Rishi.
• Neetu and Rishi reportedly had a secret engagement.
• Rishi Kapoor instructed Neetu to finish her film shoots by 8 pm.
• Their wedding mandap was used in Raj Kapoor’s film “Prem Rog” (1982).
• Neetu and Rishi won the Zee Cine Award for Best Lifetime Jodi in 2011.
• Neetu’s handprint is at the Walk of the Stars in Mumbai.
• She reportedly still gives Ranbir Kapoor pocket money and calls him “Raymond.”
• She enjoys a non-vegetarian diet and frequently engages in social gatherings.
• Her hobbies include cooking, exercising, and meditation.
• In May 2023, she purchased a 4-BHK property in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex for Rs. 17.4 crores.
Film Highlights
Film | Year | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Suraj | 1966 | Child Artist | Debut Film |
Rikshawala | 1972 | Lead Role | Debut as a Female Lead |
Kabhie Kabhie | 1976 | Lead Role | Paired with Rishi Kapoor |
Amar Akbar Anthony | 1977 | Lead Role | Paired with Rishi Kapoor |
Love Aaj Kal | 2009 | Supporting Role | Comeback Film |