Neetu Singh opted for work therapy after her husband Rishi Kapoor’s death.Recalling her struggle with bereavement, Neetu says, “Chintu (Rishi Kapoor) couldn’t do without me for even a minute. When I went for my weekly movies with friends he called me constantly. That’s why I stopped acting in movies. He never stopped me. But even if I were away shooting, he wouldn’t be able to take it. He couldn’t be in the house without me. Since Rishi and I grew up together and sort of merged into marriage, I didn’t mind his dependence on me. When he passed away, I couldn’t sleep for a month or two, and I got into drinking. I used to start drinking, and then I could not sleep without drinking,” she said.Neetu credits filmmaker Karan Johar for resorting to work therapy. “I needed to get out. I spoke to Karan, and he asked me to get back to work.”Neetu Singh Kapoor, who is back on screen in Dadi Ki Shaadi is a daadi (grandmother) in real life, but doesn’t look it.So what’s the formula of eternal youth? “Healthy eating, sleeping and thinking,” says Neetu, who really enjoyed working in Dadi Ki Shaadi. “I haven’t had so much fun since I shot for Kabhi Kabhie nearly 50 year ago. All of us–Chintu (husband Rishi Kapoor), Amitji (Bachchan), Shashi uncle (Rishi Kapoor’s uncle Shashi Kapoor). Raakheeji, Yashji (director Yash Chopra)—were together for Kabhi Kabhie in Kashmir. It felt like one big family picnic. It was the same with Daadi Ki Shaadi. It felt like a family away from family.”Neetu’s daughter Riddhima makes her screen debut as her own mother’s daughter in Dadi Ki Shaadi.Says Neetu, “Both my daughter and I reacted with disbelief and laughter when she first got the offer. Then we thought about it, and we both felt she should do it…why not?”


