Neetu Singh

Neetu Singh (also known as Neetu Kapoor) is an Indian Bollywood actress. She started acting from the age of 8 under the name Baby Sonia. She played Roopa in the 1966 movie Dus Lakh and a dual role in the film Do Kaliyaan. Her other notable films as a child actress were Waris and Pavitra Paapi. She made her debut as a leading actress in Rikshawala in 1972 and went onto appear in over 60 films. She left the film industry in 1983 after her marriage to frequent co-star Rishi Kapoor in 1980. She recently made a comeback after 26 years appearing opposite her husband in Love Aaj Kal (2009), Do Dooni Chaar (2010), and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012).

Early life

Main article: Kapoor family

Neetu Singh was born in Pant Nagar, Delhi to Rajee Singh and Darshan Singh. She lived in Shanti Building, Peddar Road, Mumbai and attended the Hill Grange High School next door on Peddar Road

Career

Neetu Singh made her debut as a child actress with films like Do Kaliyaan in the late 1960s. She started playing leading roles in 1972 with Rikshawala which was a flop. She took a small role in Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973), which became a hit, and her sizzling dance number to the song Lekar Hum brought her so much attention that she was immediately offered lead roles again. In most films, Neetu was cast as the fun-loving daughter or the 'optimistic' or 'lively' girlfriend. She acted with the top stars of her day, especially Rishi Kapoor with whom she appeared in 11 films. She has also acted opposite her future brother-in-law Randhir Kapoor in Kasme Vaade. The most successful films they acted in included Rafoo Chakkar (1974), Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977) and Doosra Aadmi (1978). She was nominated for Best Actress for the Star Screen Awards for her performance in the movie. She also won, along with Rishi Kapoor, Best Lifetime Jodi at the 2011 Zee Cine Awards. She was also paired opposite actors like her future uncle-in-law Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra and Shatrughan Sinha in hit films like Deewaar (1975), Adalat (1976), Dharam Veer (1977), Jaani Dushman (1979) and Kaala Patthar (1979).

On screen and off it, Neetu and Rishi Kapoor fell in love. This led to the couple tying the knot in January 1980 after a much publicized engagement that was the talk of Bollywood. Neetu was 21 at that time. She was at the top of her career, having just been nominated for a Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actress for Kaala Patthar (1979),^[1] but she retired.^[2] She dismissed allegations that she left films because it was customary for actresses married to the famous Kapoor family to retire after marriage, claiming that it was her 'personal choice.'.^[3]

She made a comeback to films after 26 years appearing opposite her husband in Love Aaj Kal (2009), Do Dooni Chaar (2010) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012).

Personal life

 

Singh with husband Rishi Kapoor at IIFA 2012

Nitu is married to actor Rishi Kapoor with whom she has two children. Daughter Riddhima, a fashion designer, married Delhi-based industrialist Bharat Sahni on 25 January 2006. Son Ranbir Kapoor is a Bollywood actor. Riddhima gave birth to a daughter named Samara in March 2011.^[4]

Filmography

• 1966 Suraj
• 1967 Dus Lakh
• 1968 Do Kaliyaan
• 1970 Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani
• 1972 Pavitra Paapi
• 1973 Rickshawala
• 1973 Yaadon Ki Baaraat
• 1974 Shatranj Ke Mohre
• 1974 Aashiana
• 1974 Hawas
• 1975 Khel Khel Mein
• 1975 Rafoo Chakkar
• 1975 Zinda Dil
• 1975 Deewaar—Leena Narang
• 1975 Sewak
• 1976 Sharafat Chhod Di Maine
• 1976 Aadalat
• 1976 Shankar Dada
• 1976 Kabhie Kabhie
• 1976 Maha Chor
• 1977 Parvarish
• 1977 Amar Akbar Anthony
• 1977 Doosra Aadmi
• 1977 Zamanat
• 1977 Dhongee
• 1977 Maha Badmash
• 1977 Chor Sipahee
• 1977 Dharam Veer
• 1977 Ab Kya Hoga
• 1977 Priyatama
• 1977 Andolan
• 1978 Kasme Vaade
• 1978 Heeralal Pannalal
• 1978 Anjane Mein
• 1978 Chakravyuha (1978 film)
• 1979 Jhoota Kahin Ka
• 1979 The Great Gambler
• 1979 Aatish
• 1979 Kaala Patthar
• 1979 Bhala Manus
• 1979 Yuvraj
• 1979 Duniya Meri Jeb Mein
• 1979 Zahreelee
• 1980 Chunauti
• 1980 The Burning Train
• 1980 Dhan Daulat
• 1980 Choron Ki Barat
• 1980 Kaala Pani
• 1981 Ek Aur Ek Gyarah
• 1981 Khoon Ka Rishta
• 1981 Yaarana
• 1981 Waqt Ki Deewar
• 1982 Chorni
• 1982 Raj Mahal
• 1982 Teesri Aankh
• 1983 Ganga Meri Maa
• 2009 Love Aaj Kal
• 2010 Do Dooni Chaar
• 2012 Jab Tak Hai Jaan
• 2013 Besharam