Neetu Kapoor: “I still do not trust attending public events without Rishi Kapoor”

by Joe Bourn June 18, 2022

Veteran actress Neetu Kapoor says that although she has sunk into work after the death of her husband Rishi Kapoor, she still does not have the “confidence” to attend public events without him.

Neetu Kapoor, who met Rishi Kapoor at the age of 15, married the actor in 1980 and left the movies after starring in hits such as Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Deewaar, Khel Khel Mein and Kabhi Kabhie.

He returned to the cinemas in the late 2000s with a cameo in films such as Love Aaj Kal (2009) and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012) as well as full roles in Do Dooni Chaar (2010) and Besharam (2013). All four films starred Rishi Kapoor, who died in April 2020 after battling leukemia.

Her latest film Jugjugg Jeeyo, for which she started shooting last year, was the first time in decades that the 63-year-old actress shot without her husband.

“The first day I went to the set, I also posted a photo that this was the first time I went out of the house without him. I’m sure he blessed me, making things easy for me. But to be honest, it was hard not to act with him. “It was difficult,” Neetu Kapoor told PTI.

In addition to producing Karan Johar, the veteran actress has also started shooting for a dance reality show as a judge, a commitment that has kept her busy ever since.

As an actress, said Neetu Kapoor, she has gained the confidence to face the camera without her late husband, but has not yet found the strength to go public on her own.

He said, “Even today, when I am invited to an event, I can not go. I can go for a shoot, but I can not go for a movie without him. Recently, I was invited to a big event where they wanted to give me an award but I can not go without it. I feel uncomfortable going alone. I still do not have that confidence “

“I need my son or my husband with me. Maybe it will take me a while to get used to this piece. As an actor, I can go and work because my team is there, they are with me and so I feel good. “But not otherwise, not now.”

Directed by Raj Mehta, Jugjugg Jeeyo will play Neetu Kapoor in a supporting role nine years after her last Besharam release, co-starring Rishi Kapoor and their son Ranbir Kapoor. The comedy also stars Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor and Maniesh Paul.

Neetu Kapoor said the work on the film was “comforting” and helped her deal with her grief.

She shared, “Karan finished (my house) for dinner after my husband died. Ranbir said I had to start working again, but I rejected the idea. Karan heard it and said it had a nice script and I should at least listen to it. I said with half a heart yes “.

“When I heard the story later, I was surprised. It was funny, nice and dramatic. Although I did not have the confidence then as I was low, I said to make the film. “I knew this would help me, it would comfort me,” he added.