By age 15, she owned 5 properties and worked in 100 films by 21: Bollywood superstar's mother reveals why she quit acting at her peak

Before Neetu Kapoor turned 21, she was already a very rich and famous Bollywood actress. By the age of 15, she had reportedly bought four to five properties and owned a Mercedes. By the time she became a mother at 21, she had already worked in around 100 films. Despite being one of Hindi cinema's popular actresses, she eventually decided to step away from acting after marrying actor Rishi Kapoor.

In a recent conversation with Curly Tales, Neetu looked back at her journey as a child artist, her rapid rise in the film industry and her decision to leave films at the peak of her career.

Neetu Kapoor owned 4-5 properties and a Mercedes at 15

Recalling her financial achievements at a young age, Neetu spoke about becoming financially independent while she was still in school.


"I had bought 4-5 properties by the age of 15, and I had my own Mercedes. Can you believe that? I was in 8th standard," she said during the interview.

She also explained that film offers started coming her way when she was in Class 8, eventually bringing her formal education to an end. Neetu credited her early exposure to cinema and dance training under veteran actress Vyjayanthimala for helping her become comfortable in front of the camera.

She said she never attended an acting school, but working in films as a child meant she did not experience camera shyness.

Worked in around 100 films before becoming a mother at 21

Neetu began her film career at the age of five with the 1966 film Suraj, which featured Vyjayanthimala. She subsequently appeared in Do Kaliyaan, where she played a double role.

After an initial break in her career, she returned to films at 14. Recalling the number of projects she completed, she said, "10-12 films I had done when I was a kid."

She added, "Then, from 14 to 21, I did around 70 movies."

Her career included several successful Hindi films, such as Deewaar, Khel Khel Mein, Kabhi Kabhie and Amar Akbar Anthony. She also shared the screen with Rishi Kapoor in multiple films before their marriage.

Why Neetu Kapoor quit acting

Neetu married Rishi Kapoor in 1980 and stepped away from the film industry. She explained that the decision came after years of an extremely demanding work schedule.

The actress recalled that she would sometimes work three shifts in a single day, starting early in the morning and moving between different film sets. The hectic routine left her with little time to socialise or build friendships.

She welcomed daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni at 21, while son Ranbir Kapoor was born two years later. Neetu said she was happy staying at home and raising her children.

After a gap of around 25 years, she returned to films with a cameo in Love Aaj Kal (2009). She subsequently appeared in projects including Do Dooni Chaar, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Besharam and Jugjugg Jeeyo.