Meet Neha: Manoj Bajpayee's wife who gave up career after marriage

Born in 1975, Neha hails from a Muslim family residing in Delhi. Her father was a civil engineer, and her mother was a housewife. Neha has a younger sister, and her real name is Shabana Raza.

Neha studied in Delhi, and her parents wanted her to become a doctor or an engineer. Neha never imagined that she would become an actress. 

One day, a family friend who worked in the film industry told Neha's father about Vidhu Vinod Chopra's hunt for a new face for his upcoming movie. He suggested that Neha should audition for it. Neha's father asked her, and she accepted the suggestion. Neha went to Mumbai for audition and got her debut movie, Kareeb (1998). 

Neha loved her name Shabana Raza, but Vidhu Vinod Chopra suggested adapting her character name Neha, as her screen name. So that's how Shabana turned into Neha.  

After Kareeb, Neha starred in several other films and worked with top stars. The list includes Hogi Pyaar Ki Jeet (1999) with Ajay Devgn, Fiza (2000) with Hrithik Roshan, and Ehsaas- A Feeling (2001) with Suniel Shetty. Neha has even worked in Tamil and Kannada films.

In 2006, Neha got married to Manoj Bajpayee, and she continued working in film even after her marriage.

Soon Neha realised that she was not getting the roles, she deserves. Thus, she decided to quit acting. 

Neha and Manoj are blessed with a daughter, Ava Nayla. The actress has shared that she feels happy when people address her as Neha Bajpayee. Although Neha has quit films, she has immense love for the industry.