Neetu Singh

Neetu Singh made her debut as a child actress with the film Suraj in 1966, with Rajendra Kumar and Vyjanthimala as the lead pair. She was spotted by actress Vyjanthimala in her dance school, who suggested to T. Prakash Rao that Neetu be taken for the small uncredited role in the film Suraj. She starred as the child artiste in films such as Dus Lakh, Waris, Pavitra Paapi and Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani. She appeared in a role originally played by Kutty Padmini in Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum, in its Hindi remake Do Kaliyaan.

Two years after the success of the film Rickshawkaran, in 1973, R. M. Veerappan (Sathiya Movies) decided to remake his Tamil movie into Hindi as Rickshawala (1973). The original Tamil film was a major commercial success and won M. G. Ramachandran the National Film Award for Best Actor. The remake was directed by MGR's friend, K.Shankar with the actor Randhir Kapoor and the actress Neetu Singh. The director duo Krishnan-Panju, who had directed Do Kaliyaan, suggested to K. Shankar, that he can take Neetu Singh to reprise the role played by Manjula Vijayakumar in the original. This paved the way for Neetu Singh's debut at the age of 15 as the lead heroine. However, the remake was a flop. She made a short appearance in the song "Lekar Hum" in Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973), which became a big hit and brought her so much attention that she was immediately offered several lead roles. In most films, Neetu was cast as the fun-loving daughter, or the "optimistic" or "lively" girlfriend.

Singh in 2012, standing with Shatrughan Sinha who she worked with in the film Kaala Patthar (1979)

She acted with all the top stars of her day. She was paired with her future brother-in-law Randhir Kapoor in Heeralal Pannalal (1978), Bhala Manus, Kasme Vaade, Dhongee and in the delayed Nikkamma, a film that began in 1976, and released in 1983 as Jaan-e-Jaan to become a box-office dud, though the song composed by R.D. Burman - "Tere bina mein kuch bhi nahin hoon" was popular. She was paired opposite her future uncle-in-law Shashi Kapoor in hits such as Deewaar (1975), Shankar Dada, Ek Aur Ek Gyarah and the dud Kala Pani (1980). She was paired opposite Rajesh Khanna in the action-comedy film Maha Chor, the suspense film Chakravyuha and in Punjabi film Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun. She played heroine to Amitabh Bachchan in Adaalat, Parvarish, The Great Gambler and Yaraana.

Neetu Singh formed a pair with her boyfriend and then husband Rishi Kapoor in 12 films of which Khel Khel Mein (1975), Rafoo Chakkar (1975), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Duniya Meri Jeb Mein (1979) and their guest appearance in Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978) were successful. The other films; Zehreela Insaan (1974), Zinda Dil (1975), Doosara Aadmi (1977), Anjane Mein (1978), Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) and Dhan Daulat (1980) were box office failures. She was paired with Jeetendra in Dharam Veer (1977), Priyatama, Chorni, Jaani Dushman (1979), The Burning Train and opposite Vinod Khanna in Sewak, Parvarish (1977), Maha Badmaash, Yuvraaj and Raj Mahal. She was paired with Shatrughan Sinha only in Kaala Patthar (1979) and Ab kya hoga (1977). Of the 50 films she did as the lead heroine from 1973 to 1983, 25 were box office hits. She regards her roles in the films Chakravyuha, Chorni, Priyatma and Dhongee as her best.

Neetu was 22 when she married Kapoor in January 1980. She was at the top of her career, having just been nominated for a Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actress for Kaala Patthar (1979),[4] but she retired.[1] She dismissed allegations that she left the film industry, as part of the Kapoor tradition which forbids women from acting in films, claiming that it was her 'personal choice.'[5][6] Her last film as a leading actress was Ganga Meri Maa (1983).

She made a comeback to films after 26 years, appearing opposite her husband in Love Aaj Kal (2009), Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) and Besharam (2013). Singh and Kapoor were awarded "Best Lifetime Jodi" (couple) at the 2011 Zee Cine Awards ceremony.[7]

Singh with husband Rishi Kapoor at Rakesh Roshan's birthday bash in 2017

Neetu Singh was born as Harneet Kaur in Delhi to Punjabi Jat Sikh parents, Darshan Singh and Rajee Kaur.[8]

Singh, who often co-starred with her future husband, fellow Indian Actor Rishi Kapoor, tying the knot on 22 January 1980 in Bombay (present-day Mumbai), after a much publicized engagement that was the talk of the Hindi film industry. The couple have two children: Riddhima Kapoor Sahni (born 15 September 1980) and Ranbir Kapoor (born 28 September 1982). Riddhima is a fashion designer who went on to marry Delhi-based industrialist Bharat Sahni on 25 January 2006. Through Riddhima, they have a granddaughter, Samara, born in March 2011.[9] Ranbir is a fellow actor, who has established a career in Bollywood and often has starred alongside his parents in blockbuster films. Following a recurring battle with Leukemia and seeking treatment in New York City, Singh was widowed following the death of Kapoor on 30 April 2020.[10]

During the filming of the film Jug Jugg Jeeyo, Singh along with co-star Varun Dhawan and numerous casting staff tested positive for COVID-19 in Chandigarh on 19 December 2020.[11] However following an isolation period, the star returned to filming in early January 2021.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Neetu Singh.

• Neetu Singh at IMDb
• Neetu Singh at Bollywood Hungama