Frothy like champagne, fizzier than the tangiest soda, as natural as sunshine streaming through orchards... Neetu Singh was all about joie de vivre. From the classroom to the camera, hers was a career jumpstart. But she was no precocious adolescent trying to pose as a heroine. Rather, her onscreen effervescence was an extension of her off-screen innocence. If heroes felt protective towards her, heroines wanted to befriend her. So earnest and easygoing was her vibe. Her chemistry with Rishi Kapoor is the stuff of campus dreams... years before Kuch Kuch Hota Hai happened. Trademark flicks, silky straight tresses, kohl eyes... the audience lapped up everything about her, even her plumpness. Her impromptu jigs were in sync with her inner rhythm and enthused a whole generation to the dance floor. Unrehearsed, unaffected, unpretentious... Neetu Singh was the unobtrusive scene stealer. In a decade that breezed through with 50 films and millions of fans... Neetu Singh is one child actor who graduated to be the most loved child woman...
CHILD Superstar
Few know that Harneet Kaur is Neetu Singhís original name. The doe-eyed Harneet was born on July 8, 1958, in a Jatt Sikh family in Delhi. She was the only daughter of Rajee Kaur and Darshan Singh. The family later moved to Peddar Road in Mumbai where she attended the Hill Grange High School. Neetu lost her father early. Soon she was inducted into the industry as child artiste, Baby Sonia, in T Prakash Raoís princely romance Suraj (1966) starring Rajendra Kumar and Vyjayanthimala. Story goes that the cherubic girl was spotted by Vyjayanthimala who suggested her name to the director. Baby Sonia later played Roopa in Devendra Goelís comedy Dus Lakh (1966). Her claim to fame as a child actor was the Mala Sinha-Biswajeet starrer Do Kaliyaan (1968), where she played the double role of twins, who reunite the estranged parents. Directed by R Krishnan and S Panju, it was the remake of the Tamil movie Kuzhandaiyum Deivamum and inspired by The Parent Trap (1961). Composer Ravi and Sahir Ludhianviís ode to children, Bachche mann ke sachche, is still a hit on airwaves on Childrenís Day. Apparently, young Chintu Kapoor bunked school to watch the matinee of Do Kaliyaan. Neetuís other films as child actor were Waris (1969) and Pavitra Paapi (1970).
CONGENIAL CO-STAR
A cusp between a girl and a teenager, 15-year-old Neetu debuted as the female lead in Rickshawala (1973) opposite Randhir Kapoor. The K Shankar film flopped but soon enough her cameo in Nasir Hussainís Yaadon Ki Baarat (1973), courtesy the RD Burman dance number Lekar hum deewana dil with Tariq Hussain, made her hot property.
Destiny pushed her towards Rishi Kapoor, who then found himself in a professional and personal vacuum after alleged ladylove Dimple Kapadia, quit films and his life to marry superstar Rajesh Khanna. And in walked NeetuÖ as a replacement in those films and to be a permanent fixture in his life later.
Given her no-fuss nature, she was the favourite of filmmakers and co-stars. The male actors, who were friends with Rishi, felt protective about his 'girlfriendí. Also, the non-combative and non-competitive Neetu was never viewed her as a threat by her female peers. In fact, she went on to share a close rapport with Rekha who even shared her exotic make-up secrets with her.
Through the í70s, she teamed up with her future brother-in-law Randhir Kapoor in films like Heeralal Pannalal, Bhala Manus, Kasme Vaade and Dhongee. She paired opposite her future uncle-in-law Shashi Kapoor in Deewaar, Shankar Dada, Ek Aur Ek Gyarah and Kala Pani. With Rajesh Khanna, she was seen in the action-comedy film Maha Chor, the thriller Chakravyuha and the Punjabi film Sawa Lakh Se Ek Ladaun. Her ease with Jeetendra, Rishiís close friend, was evident in films like Dharam Veer, Priyatama and Chorni (played an author-backed role of an avenger in the 1982 release). With Vinod Khanna she was seen in films The Burning Train and Raj Mahal. She made an amiable pair with Amitabh Bachchan in the musical Yaarana, the drama Adalat and the thriller The Great Gambler ñ with Bachchan even reportedly pulling the young actressí leg once saying, ìYou say
ëI love youí on screen so often. Do you even understand its meaning?î
EK MAIN AUR EK TU
Think Neetu Singh. Think Rishi Kapoor. The duo paired in around 12 films including Zehreela Insaan, Khel Khel Mein, Rafoo Chakkar, Kabhie Kabhie, Doosra Aadmi, Amar Akbar Anthony, Jhoota Kahin Ka and Dhan Daulat. Youthful and bubbly... it was difficult to distance their reel chemistry from their off screen shenanigans.
The genesis of the Rishi-Neetu relationship can be traced to the 1974 film Zehreela Insaan. The caring Neetu was initially a confidante to Rishi. Supposedly, a ëheartbrokení Rishi often took Neetuís help to pen woe-filled letters to his then sweetheart on the set of the film. But sometime later, when he went to Paris for the shooting of Pramod Chakravortyís Barood (1976), he began missing his girl Friday. Reportedly, he sent Neetu a telegram saying,
ìYe Sikhni badi yaad aati hai.î Legend goes that an elated Neetu, unprepared for this flood of affection, ran to show the message to Pam and Yash Chopra whose Kabhi Kabhie (1976) she was shooting
for in Kashmir.
Rishi, always known to be ëa bullyí, albeit an endearing one, had categorically kept the
8 pm pack-up deadline for his girlfriend. Apparently, once Neetu was shooting the song Dhoom mache dhoom with Yash Chopra for Kaala Patthar (1979) late evening. From Yash Chopra to Bachchan everyone ensured that Neetu left the set at the appointed hour. A frantic Neetu didnít even stop to change and met her ëcontrol freakí boyfriend in costume!
A ëcommitment phobicí Rishi, eventually proposed to Neetu in 1979, after dating her for five years. They got married in a hi-profile celebration in 1980. Apparently, part of the wedding mandap was used in Raj Kapoorís Prem Rog (1982). The home-loving Neetu, who had been working since childhood, was only too happy to exchange the pancake for the pans. She retired at 21.
MARRIAGE AND MORE...
For a few years, Rishi and Neetu, stayed with Raj Kapoor and Krishna in Chembur. Neetu recounts those years as the most beautiful, where she not only grew close to her mother-in-law but also imbibed her legendary art of hospitality. Few years after daughter Riddhima and son Ranbir were born, the couple moved to their bungalow Krishna at upscale Pali Hill in Bandra.
Reality and romance have never been great friends. The Rishi-Neetu marriage reportedly went through its fair share of turmoil in the í90s. But despite Rishiís penchant for alcohol and his mercurial temper (not to mention his Kapooresque overkill for food), the marriage sailed through. Neetu was once quoted saying that Rishi was ëa good husband and fatherí and hence everything else lost its edge eventually.
Neetu Kapoor made a comeback to films after 26 years opposite her husband in Love Aaj Kal (2009), Do Dooni Chaar (2010), Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) and Besharam (2013). For her fans it was a throwback treat, for her a validation of her talent. One passion apart from family that has consumed Neetu, has been her resolve to keep off weight. Close to 60, her agility has inspired women to get off the couch and get onto the treadmill. She has been a consummate mother to Riddhima, now married to Delhi-based industrialist Bharat Sahni and enjoys playing grandmom to lilí Samara. Her bond with son Ranbir Kapoor has been enduring. The two have self-confessedly enjoyed an emotional symbiosis, through the highs and lows of life. Today, as Ranbir is hailed as a true-blue actor and much of it is credited to his eloquent Kapoor genes, it would be unfair to ignore that no one could play ënaturalí as Neetu... So next time Ranbir walks away with awards and applause... remember itís also the moment to recognise his motherís hue in those bouquets.
Unforgettable Neetu Singh has delivered many performces that one remembers her by. The bubbly girl next door, expressive eyes and the long mane, all are things we will remember this gorgeous women by as an actor. She took up each role with an unparelled stride and played then to perfection. Be it the young actor, the strong independent women, the wife, the mother and now a grandmother, Neetu Singh is someone we still look upto. Her grace has exponentially grown ever since, she's aging like fine wine and is definitely an actress we love to see more of.
Khel Khel Main (1975)
The Ravi Tandon thriller with Rishi-Neetu gave the young #campus goals. RD Burman-Kishore Kumar-Asha Bhosle created iconic music with Ek main aur ek tu and Khullam khulla pyaar karenge as did Shailendra Singhís Humne tumko dekha. Neetuís wardrobe of maxis, leather skirts and boots unfurled a fashion riot.
Deewaar (1975)
Bell-bottoms and blouses and dollops of chirpiness... Neetu provided the light-hearted relief to Yash Chopraís tense drama. Panchamís Maine tujhe maanga tujhe paaya hai had her wooing a distraught Shashi Kapoor (the key locket she wore was a rage), while Keh du tumhe had her in the driverís seat.
Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
Neetuís story was about seeking her identity in Yash Chopraís complex tale of relationships... where she finds her own love being threatened. Pyaar kar liya toh kya, Tere chehre se nazar nahin hatti and Tera phoolon jaisa rang... explored the colours of romance against the poetry of Kashmir.
Doosra Aadmi (1977)
One aspect of Ramesh Talwarís film dealt with the blow-hot-blow cold relationship between wife Neetu and husband Rishi. Her white salwar kameez, green bangles coyness in Chalo dil mein bithake tumhe and the abandon of a newlywed in Nazron se kehdo pyar karne ka mausam made lyrical memories.
Amar Akbar Anthony (1977)
Playing the Muslim Salma to Rishiís Akbar, the Manmohan Desai film had the pair celebrating the gharara and the skull cap with ethnic gusto. Rishiís qawwali Parda hai with Neetu finally lifting the veil and Humko tumse ho gaya hai pyar with Rishi wooing her in a toy train... was a delight.
Priyatama (1977)
Basu Chatterjeeís film about romance succumbing to reality in a marriage gave Neetu (with Jeetendra) a chance to display her histrionics... Rajesh Roshanís dreamy number Cham cham barase ghata shot against Mumbaiís rain-soaked skyline and the aching Tere bin kaise beete sajna completed her graph.
Kaala Patthar (1979)
In this Yash Chopra multi-
starrer she was paired with Shatrughan Sinha. As the
spirited bangle seller who sells colours and love, she finds herself tragically left with broken dreams. The role performed with shades of both gaiety and grief won Neetu a Filmfare nomination.
Yaarana (1981)
In the Rakesh Kumar film, Neetu plays a mentor who falls in love with student Amitabh. Rajesh Roshanís Choo kar mere manko... with some shots in slow motion had a dream like quality. Filmed at the Netaji Indoor Stadium in Kolkata, the composition was inspired from Robindro Sangeet ñ Tumar holo shuru aamaar...
She may have willingly left the mainstream cinema after her marriage to Rishi Kapoor, but she did not leave the limelight. Making special cameos that people still remember in films like Love Aaj Kal and Jab Jak Hai Jaan opposite Rishi Kapoor, Neetu has kept giving us glimpses of the actor in her every now and then. We also got to see her to suffice our hearts in Do Dooni Char and boy, did it leave us asking for more and more of the lovelt lady. She was a teen icon, the most loved star in the 70s and the echo of her career is still heard today and cherished. We have hanced with her, romanced with her and laughed our hearts out whenever she was on the big screen.
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