Neetu on her past and present !

Excerpts from an interview:

Let's revive again your journey as an actress.

I started working very early in my life. I was just seven when I debuted in Suraj followed by a double role in Do Kaliyan when I was ten. I managed both studies and works and was pampered a when I was in Chennai at the AVM studios for ten months. But I did miss my normal life, as I didn't have too many friends around. I just followed the norms set by my mom. At 12 I quit as a child actor and at 14 I joined again as a leading actress and did 'Lekar hum diwana dil' from Yaadon Ki Baraat. I got the lead actress in that age as a heroine in Rickshawala with Randhir Kapoor. Followed eight years of hard work and ultimately I gave up when I was 21. I wanted a normal life with husband, home, family and kids.

Your pair with Rishi Kapoor was very much appreciated. Do you think it was owing to your real life relationship?

People did like us together and so we were paired in many films of that time. Again actresses then looked older to Rishi and I suited the bill perfectly. He and Dimple Kapadia have done 4-5 films together. But after she quit he had no alternative but to do all those movies with me. Our first film together was Zehreela Insaan and I was also offered Bobby. But Dimple fitted the role better.

How did love bloom between you two?

Actually he fell in love with me and made sure I did. I was only 16 then. Before that we were just friends. He would trouble me so much and we were very contradictory. Now I'm somewhat like him. He made me realize what world is. Ten years ago I was very insecure. I was scared if I would offend him, today I'm not. I didn't want to make him unhappy. His sadness would make me anxious. I observed fasts to make him feel better. We both have realized today that in a relationship you need to give space to each other. We've kids and their happiness also matters to us.

Did you feel pressurized being the Kapoor bahu?

I didn't know what Kapoor's meant, for me only Rishi mattered. I was his ideal partner and he could marry no one else. He is my world. I happily quit films to be his wife. And I get along wonderfully with every member of his family. My mother-in-law and I are close friends. Anything she says I do it blindly. Rajiv Kapoor and I were friends even before we were married. His family is wonderful.

But there were troubles and tribulations in your life too.

Yes there was and I faced them with my strength. Today I am wise because of what I've gone through. I made Chintu realise his blind spots and that he had a world outside his self. He is a changed person today. Now, he has become soft, he works out, asks me for advice when it comes to food and also communicates with the children. Today he needs me by his side. I can't return to film because I can't leave him for long. If I go for a movie with my friends, he calls me hundred times till I return home.

Do you wish to make a comeback to films?

Not at all. I'm not interested for those mother roles. My priority is my husband and children.

How is Neetu Singh as a mother?

I'm waiting for my grandchild and also for Ranbir's debut release. He's working hard and doing film with one of the best filmmakers. I want to be proud of it when the film releases. Rest I want to take care of my husband and my dog, which is like a child to me.