Neetu Kapoor Birthday Special: Tracing her love story with Rishi Kapoor

Veteran Bollywood actress Neetu Kapoor is set to celebrate her 64th birthday on July 8.

On Neetu's birthday, here's a look at her timeless love saga with husband Rishi Kapoor:

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu tied the knot in 1980 after a five-year courtship and were married for 40 years.

The 'Karz' actor first met Neetu on the sets of their 1974 film 'Zehreela Insaan'. While it wasn't love at first sight for the duo, they became close friends during the shoot of the film.

On 'The Anupam Kher Show – Kucch Bhi Ho Sakta Hai', Rishi had shared, "I remember I had an argument with my girlfriend at the time and I was very heartbroken. Trying to win her back, I had taken Neetu’s help in writing telegrams to my girlfriend while the two of us were shooting for ‘Zehreela Insaan’."

However, as time passed, Rishi realised that Neetu was the one for him.

Talking about the moment of epiphany, Risha had said, "I began to miss her when I had gone to Europe for a shoot. Ironically, I sent her a telegram from Europe to Kashmir saying that I was thinking of her."

Soon, the on-screen power couple set tongues wagging with their love affair.

The couple worked together in films like 'Khel Khel Mein', 'Rafoo Chakkar', 'Kabhie Kabhie', 'Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Duniya Meri Jeb Mein', 'Zinda Dil', 'Doosara Aadmi', 'Anjane Mein' and 'Jhoota Kahin Ka'.

The duo reportedly dated for over five years before secretly getting engaged in Delhi.

It was the actor's sister Rima, who had pushed a commitment-phobic Rishi to take his relationship with Neetu to the next level.

In his book 'Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored', the actor had revealed that his family invited Neetu to a wedding in Delhi and asked them to exchange rings.

"I was caught off-guard when my parents and close friends got Neetu and me to sit in a mandap meant for somebody else's engagement and made us exchange rings," reads an excerpt from his memoir.

After their engagement, Neetu, who was still in her teens, gave up her acting career to be a part of the Kapoor clan and left her fans shocked.

While several people alleged that she had done so on Rishi's behest, Neetu maintained that it was entirely her decision.

The coupled welcomed their first child, daughter Riddhima, in 1980. They were later blessed with a baby boy - Ranbir - in 1982.

Like every other marriage, Neetu and Rishi’s married life faced its own hurdles and went through a period of turmoil but their love was rock solid.

In 2018, Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer for the first time, following which the actor was in New York for nearly a year to undergo treatment.

During those 11 months, while Rishi’s children - Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima - kept visiting him from time to time, Neetu Kapoor stood like a rock beside him as he fought the battle with cancer.

Rishi had even said that Neetu was his support system and it would have been really difficult for him to survive without her.

Post Rishi's demise, Neetu has been leading her life with a smile on her face and with her children by her side.

During the promotions of her recent film 'JugJugg Jeeyo', Neetu had said that Rishi always pushed her to be the best version of herself, and even in his absence, the family always remembers him with a smile on their faces.