# Neetu Singh (हरनीत कौर)
**Neetu Singh** (born Harneet Kaur, हरनीत कौर, in 1958) is an Indian actress known for [Hindi cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindi-cinema), who worked as a leading lady through the 1970s and early 1980s, retired from films at 21 after marrying actor [Rishi Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/rishi-kapoor), and returned to the screen nearly three decades later in *Do Dooni Chaar* (2010).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birth name and date | Harneet Kaur, born 1958 in Delhi, to Rajee Kaur and Darshan Singh; a Jatt Sikh family that later moved to Mumbai[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) |
| Screen names | Credited as Baby Sonia in child roles, then Neetu Singh from her lead debut; Neetu Kapoor after marriage[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802183/bio/?mode=desktop) |
| Lead debut | *Rickshawala* (1973) at age 15, opposite Randhir Kapoor; attention came the same year from her cameo in *Yaadon Ki Baarat*[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) |
| Career output | More than 70 films, including *Deewaar* (1975), *Khel Khel Mein* (1975), *Kabhi Kabhie* (1976), *Amar Akbar Anthony* (1977), *Kaala Patthar* (1979), and *Yaarana* (1981)[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) |
| Retirement | Left films after marrying Rishi Kapoor on 22 January 1980, at the age of 21[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) |
| Comeback | Cameo in *Love Aaj Kal* (2009) after 26 years, then *Do Dooni Chaar* (2010), which won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) |
| Later work | Supporting roles in *Jab Tak Hai Jaan* (2012), *Besharam* (2013) with son Ranbir Kapoor, and *Jug Jugg Jeeyo* (2022)[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) |
## Child artiste and name changes
Singh entered films as a child after her father's early death, pushed by her ambitious mother, and debuted credited as Baby Sonia in T Prakash Rao's *Suraj* (1966), starring [Rajendra Kumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajendra-kumar) and [Vyjayanthimala](https://www.edgepedia.org/vyjayanthimala); Vyjayanthimala herself had recommended her to the director.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) As a child artiste she appeared in Devendra Goel's comedy *Dus Lakh* (1966), *Do Kaliyaan* (1968), in which she played twins who reunite their estranged parents, and *Waris* (1969) and *Pavitra Paapi* (1970).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
Her names trace the stages of her career. She was born Harneet Kaur, worked as a child under the name Baby Sonia, took Neetu Singh when she moved into leading parts, and became Neetu Kapoor after her marriage.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802183/bio/?mode=desktop) In her own account, the change to Neetu Singh was made early to better suit the branding of the Indian film industry.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802183/bio/?mode=desktop)
## Stardom in the 1970s
At 15 she debuted as the female lead in *Rickshawala* (1973) opposite [Randhir Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/randhir-kapoor). The K Shankar film flopped, but her cameo as a dancer in [Nasir Hussain](https://www.edgepedia.org/nasir-hussain)'s *Yaadon Ki Baarat* (1973), in the R.D. Burman dance number "Lekar hum deewana dil" with Tariq Hussain, made her popular.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
**Range of roles.** She rose to prominence with the crime drama *Deewaar* (1975), the thriller *Khel Khel Mein* (1975), [Yash Chopra](https://www.edgepedia.org/yash-chopra)'s musical *Kabhi Kabhie* (1976), [Manmohan Desai](https://www.edgepedia.org/manmohan-desai)'s *Amar Akbar Anthony* (1977), in which she played the Muslim Salma opposite Rishi Kapoor's Akbar, and the fantasy film *Dharam Veer* (1977).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) She won praise for *Parvarish* (1977), the horror film *Jaani Dushman* (1979), the disaster film *Kaala Patthar* (1979), and the musical *Yaarana* (1981).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) In *Kaala Patthar*, Yash Chopra cast her as a spirited bangle-seller whose dreams are broken; the role, playing both gaiety and grief, earned her a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
She worked widely across the industry's male stars: with Randhir Kapoor in *Bhala Manus* (1976) and *Heeralal Pannalal* (1978), with [Shashi Kapoor](https://www.edgepedia.org/shashi-kapoor) in *Deewaar* and *Shankar Dada* (1976), with [Rajesh Khanna](https://www.edgepedia.org/rajesh-khanna) in *Maha Chor* (1976) and *Chakravyuha* (1978), with [Jeetendra](https://www.edgepedia.org/jeetendra) in *Dharam Veer* and *Priyatama* (1978), with Vinod Khanna in *The Burning Train* (1980), and with Amitabh Bachchan in *Adalat* (1976), *The Great Gambler* (1979), and *Yaarana*, where she played a mentor who falls in love with his character.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) In a 2010 interview she noted that people remember her pairing with Rishi Kapoor most, although she also made 10 films with Jeetendra and 7 or 8 with Vinod Khanna.[3](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/in-rishi-i-got-good-support-for-my-big-screen-comeback-neetu-singh/)
**Screen persona.** Contemporaneous and retrospective accounts describe her as youthful and vivacious, often in Western outfits and a college-girl persona, with playful chemistry opposite Rishi Kapoor.[4](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/from-zeenat-to-helen-they-broke-the-mold-of-glamorous-avatars-of-1970s-bollywood-actresses/photostory/122967828.cms) Filmfare writer Farhana Farook described her in 2018 as the unobtrusive scene stealer of a decade in which she made about 50 films, "unrehearsed, unaffected, unpretentious".[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) In the fashion of her hits, her bell-bottoms, blouses, and key locket from *Deewaar* and her maxis, leather skirts, and boots from *Khel Khel Mein* became must-haves, and songs such as "Ek main aur ek tu" and "Keh du tumhe" became popular.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) Writing for rediff.com, film journalist Dinesh Raheja attributed her standing with filmmakers to her no-fuss nature: male actors felt protective of Rishi Kapoor's girlfriend, and the non-combative Neetu was never seen as a threat by her female peers, sharing a close rapport with Rekha.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
## The Kapoor pairing and retirement
Her most successful pairing, on screen and off, was with Rishi Kapoor, beginning with *Zehreela Insaan* (1974) and *Zinda Dil* (1975) and continuing through *Khel Khel Mein*, *Rafoo Chakkar* (1975), *Kabhi Kabhie*, *Doosra Aadmi* (1977), *Pati Patni Aur Woh* (1978), *Jhootha Kahin Ka* (1979), *Duniya Meri Jeb Mein* (1979), and *Dhan Daulat* (1980).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) counts 11 films the two made together before their marriage.[5](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/happy-birthday-neetu-singh-from-rafoo-chakkar-to-kabhi-kabhie-5-films-where-the-actor-charmed-us-4741475/) She became romantically involved with Rishi Kapoor around 1974, during the production of *Kabhi Kabhie*; he proposed in 1979, and they married on 22 January 1980.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
She retired after the marriage at the age of 21, her last major film being *Yaarana* (1981) with [Amitabh Bachchan](https://www.edgepedia.org/amitabh-bachchan).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) • [3](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/in-rishi-i-got-good-support-for-my-big-screen-comeback-neetu-singh/) In her 2010 interview she rejected the idea that Kapoor women were forbidden to work in films, saying the choice was hers: she had worked about 15 years since childhood, could not study after class eight because she was already playing leading ladies, and after marriage simply wanted to rest.[3](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/in-rishi-i-got-good-support-for-my-big-screen-comeback-neetu-singh/) She had also been kept busy because, after [Dimple Kapadia](https://www.edgepedia.org/dimple-kapadia)'s marriage removed Rishi's leading lady, she was the only young actress available to pair with him.[3](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/in-rishi-i-got-good-support-for-my-big-screen-comeback-neetu-singh/)
During her marriage she remained credited behind the camera, as costume designer for *Nagina* (1986), *Amiri Garibi* (1990), and *Daraar* (1996).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
## Comeback and later career
In 2009 she returned to films after 26 years with a cameo opposite her husband in Imtiaz Ali's *Love Aaj Kal*, followed by *Do Dooni Chaar* (2010), in which she played the middle-class Punjabi mother Kusum Duggal in Habib Faisal's directorial debut; the film won the [National Film Award for Best Feature Film](https://www.edgepedia.org/national-film-award-for-best-feature-film) in Hindi.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) She said the comeback happened because Rishi Kapoor, excited by the script, urged her to hear it; a 20-minute narration stretched to three hours, and she accepted on the spot.[3](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/in-rishi-i-got-good-support-for-my-big-screen-comeback-neetu-singh/) She chose the film for its story and character rather than a glamorous production setup, and valued working with her husband for the comfort of a familiar set after so many years away.[3](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/in-rishi-i-got-good-support-for-my-big-screen-comeback-neetu-singh/)
She made a special appearance in Yash Chopra's final film *Jab Tak Hai Jaan* (2012) and co-starred with her son Ranbir Kapoor in the comedy *Besharam* (2013).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) After Rishi Kapoor's death in 2020, she ended a nine-year hiatus by starring opposite Anil Kapoor in *Jug Jugg Jeeyo* (2022).[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) In a 2022 interview she described coping with the loss through routine and positivity: "Exercise karo, achha khao, acha piyo, achha bolo... Speak well, eat well: this is my main mantra in life."[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
## Family
Her children with Rishi Kapoor are Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, a jewelry designer who married industrialist Bharat Sahni in 2006, and actor Ranbir Kapoor, born 1982, who married actress Alia Bhatt in 2022; their daughter Raha Kapoor is Singh's granddaughter.[1](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=) • [2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802183/bio/?mode=desktop) Through marriage she was daughter-in-law of Raj Kapoor and aunt of actresses Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802183/bio/?mode=desktop)
## References
1. [Neetu Singh – Artists, Cinemaazi (Indian Cinema Heritage Foundation)](https://www.cinemaazi.com/public/people/neetu-singh?ctr=391&filterBy=n&people=&search=)
2. [Neetu Singh – Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802183/bio/?mode=desktop)
3. ["In Rishi, I got good support for my big screen comeback" – Neetu Singh, Bollywood Hungama (4 October 2010)](https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/features/in-rishi-i-got-good-support-for-my-big-screen-comeback-neetu-singh/)
4. [From Zeenat to Helen, they broke the mold of glamorous avatars of 1970s Bollywood actresses, Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/from-zeenat-to-helen-they-broke-the-mold-of-glamorous-avatars-of-1970s-bollywood-actresses/photostory/122967828.cms)
5. [Happy Birthday Neetu Singh: From Rafoo Chakkar to Kabhi Kabhie, 5 films where the actor charmed us, The Indian Express (8 July 2017)](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/happy-birthday-neetu-singh-from-rafoo-chakkar-to-kabhi-kabhie-5-films-where-the-actor-charmed-us-4741475/)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Hindi film actors, 1970s–1980s › Surnames M to W*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license