Revision as of 23:23, 21 March 2015

Family

See The Kapoors of Filmistan

Personal details

Born: September 4, 1952 in Mumbai

Rishi and Neetu's love story

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh's love saga

When friends ribbed Rishi Kapoor that his then fiancée Neetu Singh showed excessive cleavage (reportedly under pressure from her ambitious mother). Kapoor would reply that it only seemed so because of the way Neetu’s body was built, and even if her shirt went all the way to her chin, some cleavage would show.
Besides, Mr Kapoor certified that Neetu Singh was the one genuine virgin in Filmistan.

The Times of India

One of the most iconic onscreen and off screen pair, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh's love story has touched many hearts. The teenage romance which bloomed around 1975 stands rock solid even after 34 years. In an interview with Karan Johar, Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor bared their hearts out on their love life, teenage years, marriage and children. While the nation has loved and adored this super cute couple, let's take a look at their love story behind the screen.

On being asked what keeps them going strong Rishi Kapoor said, "It has always been Neetu who has made all the efforts, I have always been a difficult man." During their initial days, Neetu and Rishi got many opportunities to work together and while they used to spend most of their times together, they were never attracted to one another. Neetu Singh was more of his confidante. Rishi Kapoor had plenty of girlfriends and Neetu was the only person he used to share all the stories with. Neetu was his shoulder to cry on whenever he used to break up with someone.

Their moment of realisation came when Rishi Kapoor went abroad to shoot for Barood. Right before this film, Rishi and Neetu had shot for Kabhi Kabhi in Kashmir. When Rishi went to Paris for the shooting of Barood he suddenly started feeling lonely and abandoned. Within a matter of two to three days Rishi realised his love for Neetu and sent her a telegram. The telegram read 'ye Sikhni badi yaad aati hai'. Neetu who had so far acted as his confidante and was barely 14 then, could not hide her happiness anymore. Neetu took the telegram and showed it to Yash and Pam Chopra.

Though Rishi had expressed his love for Neetu, he remained commitment phobic. For him marriage was a liability he was not ready to take. During their intial days of courting Rishi had clearly told Neetu, "I'll only date you, I'll never get married to you". Neetu who had just entered her teens was too much in love to lose him over this. They dated for five years before finally tying the knot.

Rishi Kapoor's sister got them engaged in a sudden hush- hush ceremony. Rishi Kapoor had gone to Delhi to attend a friend's wedding and his sister had secretly invited both the families for the event. Both the families knew about the budding response between the couple and it was decided then and there to get them engaged. Rishi Kapoor did not even have a ring to give to Neetu so he took his sister's ring and gave it to Neetu. While the director of Rishi Kapoor's film 'Jhootha Kahin Ka' who was also a part of this secret ceremony, gave his ring to Neetu to give it to Rishi Kapoor.

Soon after this Neetu gave up her career in the industry. Though the general perception is that Rishi asked Neetu to give up her career and be a part of his family, Neetu stresses on the fact that this was entirely her decision. Neetu had become a part of this industry when she was just 5, so by the time she got engaged and was 21 she decided to give it all up. According to Neetu, she had seen it all. She had become a superstar, she had seen success and she had worked a lot. So Neetu decided to move ahead in life and get married. Months before the wedding Neetu sent letters to all her directors and co- actors that soon she would not be a part of this fraternity.

In the same interview, Rishi and Neetu also spoke about a slight rough patch in their married life. Talking about that phase Rishi said, "Every relationship goes through such turmoils but eventually comes out of it, our relationship was no different." He further added, "I was being very difficult then, but Neetu absorbed all the shocks I gave her really well. And held onto me." In response to that Neetu said, "Rishi has always been a very good husband and a very good father, so no matter what happened I knew what I wanted from him and held onto him."

Though Neetu maintains Rishi Kapoor was never a jealous husband, but there were certain guidelines laid out for her from the beginning. For instance Neetu was asked to pack up by 8pm. Rishi Kapoor used to wrap up his shoot by 8 pm and after that he used to meet Neetu. So in a very subtle way Neetu was told to pack up at 8 and Neetu being a demure lover used to follow this timeline religiously. Once she had to shoot a song 'Dhoom Mache' and the shot was scheduled for night. Everyone on the sets knew that Neetu had to be home by a certain timeline. From Yash Chopra to Amitabh Bachchan, everyone who was there on the sets made sure Neetu left the shoot bang on time. Soon after finishing the song Neetu rushed home wearing the same clothes and jewellery. As there were no mobile phones then, she kept wondering if Rishi had called on their landline number. But at last her maid informed her that there were no phone calls from Rishi Kapoor that evening. Neetu still laughs at the thought of how scared she was of Rishi Kapoor then!

In another round of candid confessions, Neetu Singh revealed how strict her mother was. Neetu said her mother or any other family member never allowed Rishi and Neetu to go out anywhere alone. Though they had been dating for over five years the rules never changed. Neetu was mostly accompanied by her cousin brother who used to get out of the car midway and while coming back they used to pick him up again. Her cousin who was Rishi's buddy too, never revealed this secret to anyone!

After 25 years of hard and consistent work, Rishi Kapoor decided to give it all up. But their love and respect for each other's work is still intact. Parents of heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi and Neetu are still madly in love. In today's world where the institution of marriage is crumbling everywhere, Rishi and Neetu's love story is an inspiration to all those who think marraiges and love doesn't last too long.

Filmography

As an actor

1955 Shree 420

1972 Mera Naam Joker

1973 Bobby

1974 Zehreela Insaan

1975 Khel Khel Mein

1975 Raaja

1975 Rafoo Chakkar

1975 Zinda Dil

1976 Barood

1976 Ginny Aur Johny

1976 Kabhie Kabhie

1976 Rangila Ratan

1977 Amar Akbar Anthony

1977 Doosara Aadmi

1977 Hum Kisise Kum Naheen

1978 Anjane Mein

1978 Badaltey Rishtey

1978 Naya Daur

1978 Pati Patni Aur Woh

1978 Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan

1979 Duniya Meri Jeb Mein

1979 Jhoota Kahin Ka

1979 Laila Majnu

1979 Salaam Memsaab

1979 Sargam

1980 Aap Ke Deewane

1980 Dhan Daulat

1980 Do Premee

1980 Gunehgaar

1980 Karz

1981 Biwi O Biwi

1981 Katilon Ke Kaatil

1981 Naseeb

1981 Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai

1982 Deedar-E-Yaar

1982 Prem Rog

1982 Yeh Vaada Raha

1983 Bade Dil Wala

1983 Coolie

1984 Aan Aur Shaan

1984 Duniya

1984 Yeh Ishq Nahin Aasaan

1985 Rahi Badal Gaye

1985 Saagar

1985 Sitamgar

1985 Tawaif

1985 Zamana

1986 Dosti Dushmani

1986 Ek Chadar Maili Si

1986 Nagina

1986 Naseeb Apna Apna

1986 Pahunchey Huwe Log

1987 Hawalaat

1987 Khazana

1987 Khudgarz

1987 Pyar Ke Kabil

1987 Sindoor

1988 Dharam Yuddh (TV serial)

1988 Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani

1988 Hamara Khandaan

1988 Janam Janam

1988 Vijay

1989 Bade Ghar Ki Beti

1989 Chandni

1989 Gharana

1989 Hathyar

1989 Khoj

1989 Naqab

1989 Paraya Ghar

1990 Amiri Garibi

1990 Azaad Desh Ke Gulam

1990 Sher Dil

1990 Sheshnaag

1991 Ajooba

1991 Banjaran

1991 Garajna

1991 Ghar Parivaar

1991 Henna

1991 Ranbhoomi

1992 Bol Radha Bol

1992 Deewana

1992 Honeymoon

1992 Inteha Pyar Ki

1992 Kasak

1993 Anmol

1993 Damini - Lightning

1993 Dhartiputra

1993 Gurudev

1993 Izzat Ki Roti

1993 Pyara Bharat Yeh Kahe (telefilm)

1993 Sadhna

1993 Sahibaan

1993 Shreemaan Aashique

1994 Eena Meena Deeka

1994 Ghar Ki Izzat

1994 Mohabbat Ki Arzoo

1994 Pehla Pehla Pyar

1994 Prem Yog

1994 Saajan Ka Ghar

1995 Hum Dono

1995 Saajan Ki Baahon Mein

1995 Yaraana

1996 Daraar

1996 PremGranth

1997 Kaun Sachcha Kaun Jhootha

1999 Jai Hind

2000 Karobaar: The Business of Love

2000 Raju Chacha

2001 Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi

2002 Yeh Hai Jalwa

2003 Kucch To Hai

2003 Love at Times Square

2003 Tehzeeb

2004 Hum Tum

2005 Pyaar Mein Twist

2006 Fanaa

2006 Love Ke Chakkar Mein

2007 Don't Stop Dreaming

2007 Namastey London

2007 Sambar Salsa

2008 Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

2009 Chintu Ji

2009 Delhi-6

2009 Kal Kissne Dekha

2009 Love Aaj Kal

2009 Luck by Chance

2010 Do Dooni Chaar

2010 Sadiyaan: Boundaries Divide... Love Unites

2011 Patiala House

2011 Tell Me O Kkhuda

2012 Agneepath

2012 Housefull2

2012 Jab Tak Hai Jaan

2012 Student of the Year

2013 Aurangzeb

2013 Besharam

2013 Chashme Baddoor

2013 Shuddh Desi Romance

2013 D-Day

2014 Bewakoofiyaan

2014 Kaanchi

As a producer

1996 PremGranth

1999 Aa Ab Laut Chalen

As a director

1999 Aa Ab Laut Chalen