From child artist Baby Sonia to a leading Hindi film actress, Neetu Singh has remained a familiar name in Indian cinema for decades. Also known as Neetu Kapoor, she was born as Harneet Kaur on July 8, 1958 (68 years old), in New Delhi, India.
She became famous for her expressive acting, lively screen style, and successful films during the 1970s and early 1980s.
Neetu’s best-known movies include Deewaar, Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer, Kaala Patthar, and Yaarana. Her pairing with Rishi Kapoor was also widely loved by audiences.
Among her major achievements, she won the Stardust Searchlight Award for Best Actress for Do Dooni Chaar. She also shared the Zee Cine Award for Best Lifetime Jodi with Rishi Kapoor.
Quick Facts of Neetu Singh
| Full Name | Neetu Kapoor |
| Birth Name | Harneet Kaur |
| Profession | Actress |
| Age | 68 years old |
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1958 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Cancer |
| Birthplace | New Delhi, Delhi, India |
| Current Address | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Gender | Female |
Neetu Singh Early Life and Education
Neetu Singh was born in New Delhi and was the only daughter of her parents. Her family later moved to the Peddar Road area of Mumbai.
Her father died when she was young. Soon after his death, Neetu began working in Hindi films as a child artist.
She used the screen name Baby Sonia during this period. Her first film appearance was in Suraj in 1966.
Neetu was still attending school when she started working in film studios. The success of Do Kaliyaan helped her family settle in Mumbai and supported the early growth of her acting career.
Education
Neetu attended Hill Grange High School in Mumbai. Her work as a child artist began while she was still a student.
| School | Hill Grange High School, Mumbai |
| Highest Qualification | Studied up to Class 8 |
Neetu Singh Personal Life
Neetu Singh was married to (Late) Rishi Kapoor on January 22, 1980, at RK Studios in Mumbai.
Neetu and Rishi first worked together in the 1974 film Zehreela Insaan. Their friendship grew as they appeared together in films such as Rafoo Chakkar, Khel Khel Mein, and Kabhi Kabhie.
While filming Kabhi Kabhie, their friendship developed into a romantic relationship. Their chemistry also made them one of the most popular on-screen couples of Hindi cinema during the 1970s. After dating for several years, Neetu and Rishi decided to marry. It was a large celebration attended by many actors and members of the Kapoor family.
The couple remained married for about 40 years, until Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020.
Children
Neetu and Rishi had two children, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and Ranbir Kapoor.
- Ranbir Kapoor: A highly successful and critically acclaimed Bollywood actor, known for major films like Barfi!, Sanju, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, and Animal.
- Riddhima Kapoor Sahni: A prominent fashion and jewelry designer who runs her own brand, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni Jewelry.
Father
Neetu Singh’s father was Darshan Singh. He died when she was young. She started working as a child artist soon after his death to help support her family.
Mother
Her mother was Rajee Kaur Singh. She supported Neetu during the early years of her acting career.
| Relationship Status | Widowed |
| Husband | (Late) Rishi Kapoor |
| Children | Daughter: Riddhima Kapoor Sahni Son: Ranbir Kapoor |
| Parents | Father: Darshan Singh Mother: Rajee Kaur Singh |
Neetu Singh Career
Neetu Singh began acting as a child artist under the screen name Baby Sonia. She first appeared in Suraj in 1966.
The film starred Rajendra Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Ajit, Mumtaz, and Johnny Walker. She also acted in Dus Lakh during the same year.
In 1968, she played the twin sisters Ganga and Jamuna in Do Kaliyaan. Her main co-stars were Mala Sinha, Biswajeet, Mehmood, and Om Prakash. She later appeared in Waris, Pavitra Papi, and Ghar Ki Kahani.
1973 to 1974: First Lead Roles
Neetu received her first lead role in Rickshawala in 1973. She played Kiran opposite Randhir Kapoor. Mala Sinha and Pran also had important roles in the film.
During the same year, she appeared in the song “Lekar Hum Deewana Dil” from Yaadon Ki Baaraat. The film’s main cast included Dharmendra, Vijay Arora, Tariq Khan, and Zeenat Aman. In 1974, Neetu worked with Rishi Kapoor in Zehreela Insaan.
1975 to 1976: Rise as a Leading Actress
The year 1975 brought Neetu several important films. She played Veera in Deewaar, opposite Shashi Kapoor. Amitabh Bachchan, Nirupa Roy, and Parveen Babi were also part of the cast.
She worked with Rishi Kapoor and Rakesh Roshan in Khel Khel Mein. She was also paired with Rishi in Rafoo Chakkar. These films made Neetu and Rishi a popular screen pair.
In 1976, Neetu appeared in Kabhi Kabhie. Its cast included Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Rakhee Gulzar, Waheeda Rehman, and Rishi Kapoor. She also worked opposite Shashi Kapoor in Shankar Dada and opposite Rajesh Khanna in Maha Chor.
1977 to 1979: Successful Film Years
Neetu appeared in three major films in 1977. In Amar Akbar Anthony, she played Dr. Salma and was paired with Rishi Kapoor. The cast also included Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Parveen Babi, Shabana Azmi, Nirupa Roy, and Pran.
She acted opposite Jeetendra in Dharam Veer. Dharmendra and Zeenat Aman were also among its main actors. In Parvarish, Neetu was paired with Amitabh Bachchan and worked with Vinod Khanna and Shabana Azmi.
Her other films from this period included Doosara Aadmi, Priyatama, Kasme Vaade, Jhoota Kahin Ka, Jaani Dushman, and Kaala Patthar.
In Kaala Patthar, she worked with Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Rakhee Gulzar, and Parveen Babi.
1980 to 1983: Final Films Before Her Acting Break
Neetu married Rishi Kapoor in 1980 and stopped accepting regular acting roles. However, films completed earlier continued to be released.
She appeared in The Burning Train with Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, Jeetendra, Hema Malini, and Parveen Babi. In 1981, she played Komal in Yaarana with Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan, and Tanuja.
Her later releases included Chorni, Teesri Ankh, Jaane Jaan, and Ganga Meri Maa.
2009 to 2013: Return to Acting
Neetu returned to films with a short role in Love Aaj Kal in 2009. She appeared with Rishi Kapoor as the older version of the film’s central couple. Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone played the younger characters.
In 2010, she played Kusum Duggal in Do Dooni Chaar opposite Rishi Kapoor. She then made a guest appearance with him in Jab Tak Hai Jaan in 2012.
Neetu acted with her husband and son in Besharam in 2013. Its main cast included Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Pallavi Sharda, and Javed Jaffrey.
2022: Jugjugg Jeeyo
Neetu played Geeta Saini in Jugjugg Jeeyo. She was paired with Anil Kapoor. Her other main co-stars were Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Maniesh Paul, Prajakta Koli, and Tisca Chopra.
Her performance earned her a Filmfare nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
2025 to 2026: Recent Screen Work
In 2025, Neetu appeared as herself in the Netflix family special Dining with the Kapoors. The programme featured several members of the Kapoor family.
In 2026, she played Vimla Ahuja in Daadi Ki Shaadi. The film was released on 8 May 2026. Her main co-stars included Kapil Sharma, R. Sarathkumar, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, Sadia Khateeb, Tejaswini Kolhapure, and Aditi Mittal.
Upcoming Projects
- Letters to Mr Khanna: Neetu has completed filming for this project. She stars alongside Sunny Kaushal and Shraddha Srinath. The release date is yet to be confirmed.
Neetu Singh Awards and Achievements
Here are the major wins and nominations of Neetu Singh:
Key Wins
- 2011: Stardust Award, Searchlight Award for Best Actress, for Do Dooni Chaar.
- 2011: Zee Cine Award, Best Lifetime Jodi with Rishi Kapoor, for their popular on-screen pairing.
Key Nominations
- 1980: Filmfare Award, Best Supporting Actress, for Kaala Patthar.
- 2011: Screen Award, Best Actress, for Do Dooni Chaar.
- 2023: Filmfare Award, Best Supporting Actress, for Jugjugg Jeeyo.
Neetu Singh Net Worth
The estimated net worth of Neetu Singh is around ₹50 crore ($5.4 million), and her annual salary ranges between ₹3-₹5 crore ($325,000-$542,000).
| Net Worth (approx.) | ₹50 crore ($5.4 million) |
| Salary (approx.) | ₹3-₹5 crore ($325,000-$542,000) |
Neetu Singh Height, Weight, and Physical Stats
Below are the physical stats of Neetu Singh:
| Height | In centimetres: 165 cm In metres: 1.65 m In feet and inches: 5 feet 5 inches |
| Weight | In kg: Yet to be updated In lbs: Yet to be updated |
| Hair Colour | Dark brown |
| Eye Colour | Dark brown |
Neetu Singh Instagram
 @neetu54 |
Interesting Facts About Neetu Singh
Neetu Singh worked as a child artist under the name Baby Sonia, and kept that credit in Suraj and Do Kaliyaan. She was later credited as Neetu Singh from her teenage years onward. She has not shared detailed public accounts of exactly how or by whom the new screen name was chosen.
She retired from regular acting after her marriage in 1980, when she was only 21 years old. Her last release of that phase, Ganga Meri Maa, came out in 1983, and she stayed away from lead roles for more than 25 years before returning with Love Aaj Kal in 2009. In 1977 alone, three of her films, Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer, and Parvarish, ranked among the top five highest-grossing films of the year.
Neetu remains close to the Kapoor family. Her grandchildren are Samara Sahni, daughter of Riddhima, and Raha Kapoor, daughter of Ranbir and Alia Bhatt. In 2012, her hand print was preserved at the Walk of the Stars at Bandra Bandstand in Mumbai, under her married name, Neetu Kapoor.
- Played a dual role as twin sisters Ganga and Jamuna in Do Kaliyaan as a child artist.
- Appeared with Rishi Kapoor in many films, including Rafoo Chakkar, Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Do Dooni Chaar, and Besharam. The exact total number of their films together is not officially documented.
- Was listed among the top actresses of 1975 and 1977 by Box Office India.
FAQs
What is the real name of Neetu Singh?
Neetu Singh’s birth name is Harneet Kaur. She is also known as Neetu Kapoor.
How old is Neetu Singh?
Neetu Singh is 68 years old. She was born on 8 July 1958 in New Delhi, India.
Who was the husband of Neetu Singh?
Neetu Singh was married to actor Rishi Kapoor. They married on 22 January 1980. Rishi Kapoor died on 30 April 2020.
How many children does Neetu Singh have?
Neetu Singh has two children. Her daughter is Riddhima Kapoor Sahni, and her son is actor Ranbir Kapoor.
When did Neetu Singh start acting?
Neetu Singh began acting as a child artist in 1966. She was credited as Baby Sonia during her early career.
What was the first lead film of Neetu Singh?
Neetu Singh’s first lead film was Rickshawala, released in 1973. She acted opposite Randhir Kapoor.
Which films is Neetu Singh known for?
Neetu Singh is known for films such as Deewaar, Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer, Kaala Patthar, and Yaarana.
Has Neetu Singh won any awards?
Yes, Neetu Singh won a Stardust Award for Do Dooni Chaar and shared the Zee Cine Award for Best Lifetime Jodi with Rishi Kapoor. She also received Filmfare nominations for Kaala Patthar and Jugjugg Jeeyo.
