In pics: On Rishi Kapoor's death anniversary, a look at Neetu Kapoor and late actor's timeless love story

It all began in 1975 when a teenaged Neetu worked in as many as 15 films opposite Rishi. They were hailed as one of the best onscreen couples. But, in their initial days as co-stars, Neetu was merely a confidante to Rishi. In fact, she recently revealed on Indian Idol 12 that she was Rishi Kapoor's wing-woman and always helped him in impressing girls until they started dating. 

The moment of epiphany came to Rishi when he was away in Paris for the shoot of his film, Barood and Neetu was in Kashmir. The two had just shot for the film, Kabhi Kabhie in Kashmir. It was then that Rishi felt lonely and sent Neetu a telegram. 'Ye Sikhni badi yaad aati hai (I am missing this Sikhni)', wrote Times of India in a report. And so began their love story. All this while Neetu was still in her teens. 

Rishi and Neetu's engagement was a hush-hush affair. The intimate ceremony was planned by Rishi's sister who had secretly invited the immediate families when Rishi had reportedly gone to Delhi to attend a friend's wedding. The lovebirds didn't even have rings to exchange; while Rishi gave Neetu his sister's ring, the film 'Jhootha Kahin Ka's director, gave his ring to Neetu to give it to Rishi, as per a report in Hindustan Times.

Reportedly, while Rishi Kapoor expected Neetu to pack up shoots after 8 pm, just like him, the latter was never allowed by her mother to meet or go with Rishi alone. Neetu would usually be accompanied by her cousin brother Lovely. 

After dating for about five years, Rishi and Neetu tied the knot on January 22, 1980. They were blessed with two children, Riddhima Kapoor Sahni and Ranbir Kapoor and the couple were living the nearly perfect life until their marriage hit a low. 

While Neetu and Rishi's love story was fairytale-like perfect, it was not completely without hurdles. There was a time when their relationship hit a rough patch. Talking about it, Rishi had said, "It has always been Neetu who has made all the efforts, I have always been a difficult man." Explaining further, he was quoted in a Hindustan Times report as saying, "Every relationship goes through such turmoils but eventually comes out of it, our relationship was no different. I was being very difficult then, but Neetu absorbed all the shocks I gave her really well. And held onto me."

In fact, speaking about the rough patch, Neetu had once said in an interview, "There always comes a phase in a couple's life when there would be friction, disagreements. Rishi and I also went through that stage. It was just one of those problems, which only the husband and wife would understand. Fortunately, we were able to sort out our differences. Today, everything is forgotten."

On September 29, 2018, Rishi Kapoor's cryptic tweet about taking a break from work had raised many eyebrows. Neetu Kapoor's post on January 1, 2019, had hinted that Rishi Kapoor was suffering from cancer. Sharing a family picture from their New Year celebrations, the star wife had written, "Happy 2019 no resolutions only wishes this year !!! Less pollution traffic!! Hope in future cancer is only a zodiac sign !!! No hatred less poverty loads of love togetherness happiness n most imp. Good health." Later, on April 30, 2020, amid the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Rishi Kapoor breathed his last at a Mumbai hospital. And just like that, it was the end of an era, a love story that people were so in awe of.