Born on July 8, 1958, veteran actress Neetu Singh's (Neetu Kapoor) birth name is Harneet Kaur Singh. She was born in a Jatt Sikh family in Delhi and began her acting career as a kid at the age of 8 with the name Baby Sonia. Neetu had shared screen space with her mother Rajee Singh in the film 'Rani Aur Lalpari'
Neetu Singh's family moved to Peddar Road in Mumbai. She studied at the Hill Grange High School. Her father Darshan Singh, however, passed away too soon. Neetu's debut in films was in 1966 with Suraj, starring Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala
She went on to star in films such as 'Dus Lakh', 'Do Dooni Chaar', 'Waris', 'Ghar Ghar Ki Kahaani'. But her claim to fame as a child actor was the Mala Sinha-Biswajeet-starrer 'Do Kaliyaan'. The 1968 film saw Neetu in a double role of twins - 'Ganga and Jamuna' - who reunite the estranged parents
The song from 'Do Kaliyaan', composed by Ravi and Sahir Ludhianvi, 'Bachche Mann Ke Sachche', is still a hit and gets played especially on Children's Day. It is said that young Rishi aka Chintu Kapoor had bunked school to watch the matinee of 'Do Kaliyaan'
In 1973, 15-year-old Neetu Singh made her debut as the female lead in K. Shankar's Rickshawala opposite Randhir Kapoor. Little did she know that a few years down the line, she would be Randhir's sister-in-law
This was followed by a small role in 'Yaadon Ki Baarat' which became a hit. Her sizzling dance number 'Lekar Hum Deewana Dil' with Tariq Hussain got her so much attention that she bagged many more lead roles after this
Apparently, while working on their first film together, 'Zehrila Insaan', and Rishi troubled Neetu a lot. He would spread kajal on her face after she had completed her make-up. Expectedly, Neetu would get irritated, but over time this very prankster stole her heart
'I remember I had an argument with my girlfriend at the time and I was very heartbroken. Trying to win her back, I had taken Neetu's help in writing telegrams to my girlfriend while the two of us were shooting for 'Zehreela Insaan',' Rishi Kapoor had said in a statement
Further adding, "As time passed, I began to realise that Neetu is the one for me as I began to miss her when I had gone to Europe for a shoot. Ironically, I sent her a telegram from Europe to Kashmir saying that I was thinking of her"
Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor acted with each other in many films in the 70s, and their romance blossomed during this phase. Among their successful films were 'Khel Khel Mein' (1975), 'Kabhie Kabhie' (1976), 'Amar Akbar Anthony' (1977), and 'Doosra Aadmi' (1977)
The couple got married on January 22, 1980. Neetu was only 21, then. Their much-publicised engagement became the talk of the town. After her marriage, Neetu Kapoor left films saying it was her personal choice and not because of her marital status
Neetu Kapoor gave birth to her first child - daughter Riddhima on September 15, 1980. Riddhima Kapoor is now a fashion designer and is married to Bharat Sahni, son of Balram Sahni and Indu Sahni. Riddhima has a daughter - Samara Sahni
Neetu Kapoor gave birth to her second child - son Ranbir on September 28, 1982. Well, Ranbir needs no introduction, does he?
Neetu Kapoor, who had been working since childhood, admitted that she was happy to retire at 21
Neetu Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor used to stay with Raj Kapoor and Krishna Raj Kapoor in Chembur, in the initial days of their married life. Neetu bonded well with her mother-in-law and still recounts those years as the most beautiful ones. Neetu has even said in the past that she loved her mother-in-law more than her mum
A few years after daughter Riddhima and son Ranbir were born, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor moved to their bungalow Krishna at upscale Pali Hill in Bandra. But her bond with her mother-in-law only grew stronger. 'She was such a huge influence in my life. I admired her, elegance, wit, generosity, warmth!!! She will always stay in my heart,' wrote Neetu Kapoor on Instagram, when Krishna Raj Kapoor passed away in 2018
Coming back to her professional front, after a hiatus of 26 years, Neetu Kapoor made a comeback to film in 2009. She starred opposite her husband in 'Love Aaj Kal' (2009), 'Do Dooni Chaar' (2010), 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' (2012) and 'Besharam' (2013)
Her acting won her several awards including Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Moreover, in 2011, she won the 'Best Lifetime Jodi' award with her husband Rishi Kapoor
Neetu Kapoor lost her husband, her companion for over 45 years, Rishi Kapoor this year. He breathed his last on April 29, 2020, after fighting a 2-year-long battle with cancer
The home-loving Neetu Kapoor, who gave up her professional life for her family, keeps sharing family pictures on social media along with positive notes, most of the times urging people to value their loved ones
'Big or small, we all have the battle to fight in our heads. You may have a huge house with all the luxuries and still be unhappy whereas having nothing and be the happiest. it's all a state of mind !! All one needs is a strong mind and hope for a better tomorrow! Live with gratitude, hope, work hard! Value your loved ones as that's your biggest wealth,' she wrote in one of her posts on Instagram, which touched the hearts of many
Through her social media posts, Neetu Kapoor shares love, goodness and positivity and that's what her fans love about her
Another inspiring thing, apart from being family-oriented, that can be learned from Neetu Kapoor is her resolve to keep off weight. Above 60, Neetu Kapoor still continues to inspire women to stay fit and fab
Here's wishing a very happy birthday to Neetu Kapoor!
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