Neetu Singh
Neetu Kapoor | |
|---|---|
 Kapoor in 2012 | |
| Born | Harneet Kaur 8 July 1956 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Other names | Neetu Singh |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active |
|
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2, includingRanbir |
| Relatives | Kapoor family |
Neetu Kapoor(néeSingh;bornHarneet Kaur;8 July 1956[1]) is an Indian actress who is known for appearing inHindi filmsthroughout the late 1960s, 1970s and early 1980s. In 2012, Kapoor was inducted into theWalk of the Stars,an entertainment hall of fame atBandra BandstandinMumbai.[2]
Kapoor made her debut in theswashbuckler filmSuraj(1966) and thereafter played adual rolein theromantic comedyDo Kaliyaan(1968). She began her transition to mature roles with thevigilante filmRickshawala(1973) and had her breakthrough withNasir Hussain'smasala filmYaadon Ki Baaraat(1973), where she appeared as a dancer. She rose to prominence with roles in thecrime drama filmDeewaar(1975), thethriller filmKhel Khel Mein(1975), themusical filmKabhi Kabhie(1976), the masala filmAmar Akbar Anthony(1977) and thefantasy filmDharam Veer(1977). Her performances in the crime drama filmParvarish(1977), thehorror filmJaani Dushman(1979), thedisaster filmKaala Patthar(1979) and the musical filmYaarana(1981) were praised, and forKaala Patthar,she was nominated for theFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.[3]
In 1980, she married actorRishi Kapoor,with whom she had two children, including the actorRanbir Kapoor.She went on a hiatus after appearing in the thriller filmGanga Meri Maa(1983). Nearly three decades later, she made her acting comeback with a minor role in the romantic comedyLove Aaj Kal(2009). She has since led the comedy filmDo Dooni Chaar(2010) which won her aZee Cine Award,the action filmBesharam(2013), made a guest appearance in the romantic dramaJab Tak Hai Jaan(2012) and starred in the filmJugjugg Jeeyo(2022), which earned her another nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Early life
[edit]Neetu Singh was born on 8 July 1958, as Harneet Kaur inNew DelhitoPunjabiSikhparents, Darshan Singh and Rajee Kaur Singh.[4]She began acting as a child artist shortly after her father's death.[1][5][6]
Career
[edit]Singh entered films as an uncredited child artist inSuraj(1966) starringVyjayanthimalaandRajendra Kumar.This was followed by appearances in other top-grossing films likeDus Lakh(1966),Do Kaliyaan(1968),Waris(1969), andGhar Ghar Ki Kahani(1970). She was particularly appreciated for playing the double role of twin sisters inDo Kaliyaan.[1]In most of these films, she was credited as Baby Sonia.
In 1973, she played her first lead role inRickshawalaoppositeRandhir Kapoor.The film was a remake of theTamil filmRickshawkaran(1971), but failed to match the success of this film. Later that year, however, Singh garnered mainstream attention for her appearance in a popular song "Lekar Hum Deewana Dil" fromNasir Hussain's blockbuster filmYaadon Ki Baaraat(1973).
The romantic filmsRafoo Chakkar(1975) andKhel Khel Mein(1975) established her andRishi Kapooras a popular on-screen pair, and they were subsequently cast in several more films together.Khel Khel Meinin particular was propelled by the success ofR.D. Burman's soundtrack. She gained further commercial success inShankar Dada(1976) oppositeShashi KapoorandMaha Chor(1976) oppositeRajesh Khanna.
Her two most prominent films in this time period wereDeewaar(1975) andKabhi Kabhie(1976), both ensemble films directed by leading filmmakerYash Chopra.In the action dramaDeewaar,she played the vivacious love interest to Shashi Kapoor.[7]The ensemble musical romantic dramaKabhi Kabhie,which featured her as an adoptee determined to find her birth mother, was one of the most acclaimed films of that time and continues to be remembered today for its soundtrack byKhayyamandSahir Ludhianvi.[8]
Singh's most successful release of 1977 wasAmar Akbar Anthony,directed by veteran filmmakerManmohan Desai,in which she played a young doctor in love with a singer played by Rishi Kapoor. In the same year, Desai also cast her in the adventure filmDharam VeeroppositeJeetendraand the crime dramaParvarishoppositeAmitabh Bachchan.All three of these films ranked among the top five highest-grossing films of the year, withAmar Akbar Anthonytaking the top spot.[citation needed]
For the next few years, Singh achieved success as the solo female lead in films likePriyatama(1977),Maha Badmaash(1977),Dhongee(1979), andChorni(1982). She was also featured in a number of popular ensemble films likeAdalat(1977),Kasme Vaade(1978),Jaani Dushman(1979),Kaala Patthar(1979),The Burning Train(1980),Yaarana(1981), andTeesri Aankh(1982). In these films, her most successful associations were with actors like Jeetendra, Amitabh Bachchan, and Randhir Kapoor. For Yash Chopra'sKaala Patthar,she earned her first nomination for theFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.[citation needed]
After her marriage in 1980, she retired from acting. Her last film to be released wasGanga Meri Maa(1983).
After a 25-year hiatus, Singh made her comeback with a cameo appearance inImtiaz Ali's romantic comedy-dramaLove Aaj Kal(2009), opposite her husband as the older version of his love interest in the film.
Singh's first lead role post-retirement was that of a middle-class Punjabi mother inHabib Faisal'sDo Dooni Chaar(2010), which won theNational Film AwardforBest Feature Film in Hindi.She then made a special appearance in Yash Chopra'sswan songJab Tak Hai Jaan(2012), and also co-starred with her sonRanbir Kapoorin the comedyBesharam(2013). After 9 years, she ended her hiatus by starring oppositeAnil KapoorinJug Jugg Jeeyo.Her performance earned her second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.[9]
Personal life
[edit]
During production of the filmKabhie Kabhie,Singh and actorRishi Kapoorbecame romantically involved off-screen. The pair married on 22 January 1980. Their children are Riddhima Kapoor Sahni (born 15 September 1980) andRanbir Kapoor(born 28 September 1982). Riddhima is a fashion designer who married Delhi-based industrialist Bharat Sahni on 25 January 2006. Their daughter is Samara Sahni (born 23 March 2011).[10]Ranbir is an Indian actor who married actressAlia Bhatton 14 April 2022. Their daughter is Raha Kapoor (born 6 November 2022).
Following a recurring battle withleukemiaand treatment inNew York City,Rishi Kapoor died on 30 April 2020.[11]During the filming ofJug Jugg Jeeyo,she tested positive forCOVID-19inChandigarhin December 2020.[12]However, she recovered after an isolation period, returning to the film's sets in early January 2021.
Legacy
[edit]
Singh is regarded as one of the most recognised actresses ofIndian cinema.[13]In 2022, she was placed inOutlook India's "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list.[14]One of the highest paid actress of late 1970s, Singh appeared inBox Office India's "Top Actresses" list 1975 and 1977.[15]She was inducted into theWalk of the Stars,atBandra Bandstand,where her hand print was preserved under her married name Neetu Kapoor.[16]InAditya Chopra's 2008 filmRab Ne Bana Di Jodi's song "Phir Milenge Chalte Chalte",Rani Mukerjidressed herself as Kapoor, as a tribute to her fashionable pigtails look from the 1980s.[17]
Filmography
[edit]| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Films
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Suraj | Young Geeta | |
| Dus Lakh | Credited as Baby Sonia | ||
| 1968 | Do Dooni Char | Ban Devi | |
| Do Kaliyaan | Ganga/Jamuna | Credited as Baby Sonia;Dual role | |
| 1969 | Waris | Baby | Credited as Baby Sonia |
| 1970 | Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani | Roopa | |
| Pavitra Paapi | Vidya | ||
| 1973 | Rickshawala | Kiran | Adult debut as heroine[19] |
| Yaadon Ki Baaraat | Dancer | Special appearance[20] | |
| 1974 | Shatranj Ke Mohre | [21] | |
| Aashiana | |||
| Zehreela Insaan | Margaret | ||
| Hawas | Neetu | ||
| 1975 | Khel Khel Mein | Nisha | |
| Rafoo Chakkar | Ritu | ||
| Zinda Dil | Jyoti Chand | ||
| Deewaar | Veera Narang | ||
| Sewak | Rasiya | ||
| 1976 | Sharafat Chod Di Maine | Radha | |
| Shankar Dada | Roopa Verma | ||
| Kabhie Kabhie | Pinky Kapoor | ||
| Maha Chor | Neetu | ||
| Bhala Manus | Meena | ||
| 1977 | Aadalat | Geeta Verma | |
| Dharam Veer | Roopa | ||
| Amar Akbar Anthony | Dr. Salma Ali | ||
| Parvarish | Neetu | ||
| Doosra Aadmi | Timsi | ||
| Dhongee | Neelima | ||
| Maha Badmaash | Seema / Pinky | Dual role | |
| Ab Kya Hoga | Chitralekha | ||
| Priyatama | Dolly | ||
| Andolan | |||
| 1978 | Kasme Vaade | Neeta | |
| Heeralal Pannalal | Neelam | ||
| Anjane Mein | Rani | ||
| Chakravyuha | Chhaya | ||
| 1979 | Jhoota Kahin Ka | Anita Verma/Sheetal Khanna | |
| The Great Gambler | Mala | ||
| Aatish | Shanno | ||
| Kaala Patthar | Channo Singh | ||
| Yuvraj | Pallavi | ||
| Duniya Meri Jeb Mein | Neeta | ||
| Jaani Dushman | Gauri | ||
| Zahreelee | |||
| 1980 | Chunaoti | Roshni | |
| The Burning Train | Madhu | ||
| Dhan Daulat | Shanti | ||
| Choron Ki Baaraat | Anju | ||
| 1981 | Ek Aur Ek Gyarah | ||
| Khoon Ka Rishta | Sonia | ||
| Yaarana | Komal | ||
| Waqt Ki Deewar | Soni | ||
| 1982 | Chorni | Deepa | |
| Raaj Mahal | Rajkumari Ratna | ||
| Teesri Aankh | Nisha | ||
| 1983 | Ganga Meri Maa | Neetu | |
| Jaane Jaan | Meena | ||
| 2009 | Love Aaj Kal | Older Harleen Kaur | |
| 2010 | Do Dooni Chaar | Kusum Duggal | |
| 2012 | Jab Tak Hai Jaan | Pooja | Guest appearance |
| 2013 | Besharam | Head Constable Bulbul Chautala | |
| 2022 | Jugjugg Jeeyo | Geeta Saini | [22] |
| TBA | Letters to Mr Khanna† | TBA | Completed[23] |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Dance Deewane Juniors | Judge | TV debut[24] |
| 2024 | The Great Indian Kapil Show | Guest |
Accolades
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kaala Patthar | Nominated | [25] |
| 2011 | Screen Awards | Best Actress | Do Dooni Chaar | Nominated | [26] |
| Stardust Awards | Best Actress | Won | [27] | ||
| Zee Cine Awards | Best Lifetime Jodi(withRishi Kapoor) | — | Won | [28] | |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Jugjugg Jeeyo | Nominated | [22] |
References
[edit]- ^abcFarook, Farhana (8 July 2018)."Diving deep into the stardom of the spice girl Neetu Singh".Filmfare.
- ^Raheja, Dinesh (9 April 2003)."The unforgettable Neetu Singh".Rediff.com.Retrieved25 July2016.
- ^"Check out the complete list of Filmfare Awards Winners from 1953 to 2020".Filmfare.Retrieved14 September2020.
- ^"Diving deep into the stardom of the spice girl Neetu Singh".filmfare.com.Retrieved6 February2024.
- ^"Neetu Singh on how she coped up after Rishi Kapoor's death: 'I started socialising, worked on movies'".PINKVILLA.8 April 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 8 April 2022.Retrieved12 January2023.
- ^Service, Tribune News."Neetu Kapoor's answer to trolls who wished her 'cry and suffer as Rishi Kapoor's widow'".Tribuneindia News Service.Retrieved12 January2023.
- ^Ayaz, Shaikh (17 January 2020)."Film of the Month: 1975's Deewaar".The Indian Express.
- ^"40 years of Yash Chopra's 'Kabhie Kabhie'".News18.27 January 2016.
- ^Chaubey, Pranita (12 November 2020)."Jug Jugg Jeeyo:Neetu Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Varun Dhawan And Kiara Advani To Begin Shooting ".NDTV.
- ^"Kapoor's family day out - Times of India".The Times of India.
- ^ऋषि कपूर का 10वर्ष की उम्र में निधन, अमिताभ बच्चन ने ट्वीट कर दी जानकारी
- ^"Neetu Kapoor confirms she has tested positive for Covid-19, says she is 'feeling better' now".Hindustan Times.10 December 2020.Retrieved24 January2021.
- ^"Top heroines of Bollywood".India Today.Archivedfrom the original on 28 November 2020.Retrieved24 August2020.
- ^"75 Bollywood Actresses Who Ruled The Silver Screen With Grace, Beauty And Talent".Outlook.16 August 2022.Archivedfrom the original on 16 August 2022.Retrieved16 August2022.
- ^"Top Actresses".Box Office India.Archived fromthe originalon 4 January 2012.Retrieved24 April2020.
- ^Saraswathy, M. (1 April 2012)."Walking with the stars".Business Standard India.Retrieved24 November2019.
- ^"Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (2008)".Bollywood Hungama.Archived fromthe originalon 6 September 2015.Retrieved27 February2014.
- ^"Arjun Rampal's new co-star is little Munni from 'Bajrangi Bhaijaan' - Bollywood's cutest child actors".The Times of India.
- ^"The unforgettable Neetu Singh".Rediff.com.
- ^Farook, Farhana (8 July 2018)."Diving deep into the stardom of the spice girl Neetu Singh".Filmfare.
- ^"Neetu Singh Complete Filmography".Bollywood.Retrieved2 May2020.
- ^ab"Nominations list for the 68th Filmfare Awards 2023".filmfare.com.Retrieved28 December2022.
- ^"Neetu Kapoor, Sunny Kaushal and Shraddha Srinath wrap Letters to Mr Khanna shoot".The Telegraph India.Retrieved14 January2023.
- ^"Here's what Neetu Kapoor thinks about venturing into TV space as a judge in Dance Deewane Juniors".Pinkvilla.10 April 2022. Archived fromthe originalon 8 July 2022.Retrieved10 May2022.
- ^"Check out the complete list of Filmfare Awards Winners from 1953 to 2020".Filmfare.Retrieved14 September2020.
- ^"Nominations for 17th Annual Star Screen Awards 2011".Bollywood Hungama.3 January 2011.Archivedfrom the original on 4 February 2018.Retrieved4 February2018.
- ^"Stardust Awards Winner 2011".Stardust.9 February 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 12 February 2011.Retrieved4 February2018.
- ^"Hrithik, SRK top Zee Cine Awards".Hindustan Times.15 January 2011.Retrieved24 November2019.
External links
[edit]
