Veteran actress Neetu Singh, who began her acting career at the tender age of six and continued enthralling audiences with her stellar performances for several decades, is celebrating her 62nd birthday today. She was born on 8 July, 1958, in Delhi.
After making her debut in a lead role, Singh worked with a number of leading actors of that time, but it was her pairing with uber cool and charismatic Rishi Kapoor which would receive endless whistles in theatres every time the duo shared the screen. Soon, the reel-life couple fell in love with each other in real life too and exchanged the vows in 1980.
As Neetu Singh celebrates her 62nd birthday with her family and close friends, here are the top five much-watch films of the veteran actress with her superstar husband Rishi Kapoor that you can watch to awaken the romantic in you.
Rafoo Chakkar (1975)
If you have not seen this insanely funny film so far, you just cannot claim to be a Hindi film buff. Though Rafoo Chakkar was inspired from the Hollywood film Some Like It Hot (1959), Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor, with the help of incredibly talented actor Paintal, made sure the film was not remembered just as another remake of a Hollywood biggie, but a great romantic comedy filled with brilliant performances. Directed by Narender Bedi, the film revolves around two on-the-run murderers who disguise themselves as women to hide from police. It received great love at the ticket window.
Amar Akbar and Anthony (1977)
An all-time blockbuster, Amar Akbar and Anthony also starred an army of powerful actors such as Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Parveen Babi, and Shabana Azmi, but Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor still managed to not only deliver great performances but also steal the thunder from their co-stars. Two of the most loved songs of the film – ‘Parda Hai Parda’ and ‘Taiyabali Pyar Ka Dushman’ was picturised on the couple.
Khel Khel Mein (1975)
Khel Khel Mein released in the same year as Rafoo Chakkar and both films performed stupendously well at the box office. When we talk about the incredible love story of Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor, one song that never fails to crop up in our mind is ‘Ek Main Aur Ek Tu’ and no prize for guessing it belongs to Khel Khel Mein. If you want to see what pure, innocent love looks like on celluloid, watch this film. The hit song ‘Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge’ also belongs to the same blockbuster film.
Kabhi Kabhie (1976)
Before Amar Akbar and Anthony, Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor featured in Yash Chopra’s high-profile multi-starrer Kabhi Kabhie. The ensemble cast also included the likes of Amitabh Bachchan, Rakhee, Shashi Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, and Simi Garewal in prominent roles. It was Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor’s romantic track that gave a much-needed light tone to the otherwise emotionally charged film.
Do Dooni Chaar (2010)
We all know that Neetu Singh retired from films after her marriage with Rishi Kapoor in 1980. She returned to the silver screen with the Imtiaz Ali-directed 2008 film Love Aaj Kal, though for a cameo appearance. Two years after Love Aaj Kal, the actress paired with her husband for a full-fledged role in Habib Faisal’s Do Dooni Chaar. The audience loved their performance to no end and made the film a commercial success at the cash counter.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.