From entering films as a child artist to becoming one of the most successful actresses of the 1970s and later stepping away from the spotlight for family, Neetu Kapoor's life story remains closely intertwined with the evolution of Bollywood itself.

Born as Harmeet Kaur in Delhi on July 8, 1958, Neetu faced challenges at an early age. Following the death of her father, financial difficulties forced the family to look for opportunities in the film industry. Her mother, Rajee Kaur, reportedly struggled to find acting work herself before deciding to introduce her young daughter to films.

Neetu made her screen debut as a child artist under the name "Baby Sonia" and appeared in films such as Suraj, Do Kaliyan, Das Lakh and Waris. Industry insiders of that era often praised her natural screen presence and confidence in front of the camera despite her young age.

Her transition to lead roles came in the early 1970s. The film Rickshawala helped establish her as a heroine, and she soon became one of the busiest actresses in the industry. Over the next few years, she featured in several commercially successful films, including Deewaar, Khel Khel Mein, Rafu Chakkar, Kabhi Kabhie, Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer and Kasme Vaade.

While her professional success was growing rapidly, another chapter of her life was taking shape on film sets. Neetu Kapoor's association with late actor Rishi Kapoor began during the filming of Zehreela Insaan in 1974. What started as friendship gradually evolved into one of Bollywood's most talked-about relationships.

According to accounts shared by Neetu Kapoor in past interviews, her family initially opposed the relationship. Media reports over the years have cited her recalling that her mother was unhappy after learning about her romance with Rishi Kapoor and even slapped her over the matter. However, with time, both families accepted the relationship.

The couple married on January 22, 1980, in a high-profile ceremony attended by several leading film personalities. Their wedding remains one of the most discussed celebrity weddings in Hindi cinema. Interestingly, both Neetu and Rishi Kapoor later revealed that the exhausting ceremonies and massive crowds left them physically drained, leading to moments when they reportedly fainted during the celebrations.

Marriage brought significant changes to Neetu Kapoor's life. At a time when she was among Bollywood's top actresses, she gradually moved away from films to focus on family life. Raising children Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni became her priority, and she largely stayed away from the industry for years.

Rishi Kapoor, in his autobiography Khullam Khulla, had written that he felt marriage may have affected his image as a romantic hero during that period. While his career later evolved successfully into character-driven roles, Neetu's decision to step back from acting was seen as one of the biggest sacrifices made by a leading actress at the peak of her popularity.

After a long absence from mainstream cinema, Neetu Kapoor returned to films more than two decades later. Her performances in projects such as Do Dooni Chaar and later JugJugg Jeeyo received appreciation from audiences and critics alike, proving that her screen appeal remained intact.

The loss of Rishi Kapoor in April 2020 marked another emotional turning point. Since then, Neetu Kapoor has remained active professionally, appearing on television and returning to acting while also maintaining a strong public presence.

Even at 68, Neetu Kapoor continues to command admiration across generations. Her journey—from a child artist navigating financial hardship to a celebrated actress, devoted mother and resilient public figure—remains one of Bollywood's most enduring stories.