New Delhi: Veteran actress Neetu Kapoor has said that despite being immersed in work after the death of her husband Rishi Kapoor, she still has no hope of attending public events without him.
Neetu met Rishi Kapoor at the age of 15, married the actor in 1980 and left the film industry after starring in hit films like “Yaadon Ki Bharat, Deewar, Gale Gale Mein and Gabi Kabi”.
He returned to the movies in the late 2000s with cameos on films like “Love Aaj Kal” (2009) and “Jab Tak Hai Jaan” (2012) and “Do Tuni Char” (2010) and “Pesharam”. (2013) starred Rishi Kapoor in all four films, who passed away in April 2020 after the war with leukemia.
She recently started shooting for her latest film “Jugjugg Jeeyo”, which is the first time in decades that the 63-year-old actor has shot without her husband.
“The first day I went to film, I released a picture that this is the first time I’ve ever been out of the house without him. He blessed me, he made things easier for me. But to be honest, it was hard not to act with him. It was hard,” you told PTI.
In addition to the Karan Johar production, the veteran actor also started filming as a judge on a dance reality show, which keeps him busy.
As an actor, Neetu said she has the confidence to face the camera without her late husband, but still does not have the strength to go down alone in public.
“Even today I can’t go to a function if I am called .. I can go to a shooting .. But I can’t go to a cinema function without him .. I was recently invited to a big event. They wanted to give me an award but I could not go without him. I find it embarrassing to go alone. I still don’t have that confidence.
“I need my son or my husband with me. Maybe it’s time for me to get used to that area. As an actor, I can go and work because my team is there, they are with me, so I feel good. But no different, not now.” He added.
Neetu Kapoor is set to play a full-fledged role nine years after Raj Mehta directed “Jukjak Geo”, Rishi Kapoor and their son Ranbir Kapoor co-starred in “Pesharam”.
The comedy also stars Varun Dhawan, Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor and Manish Paul.
Neetu Kapoor said that working on the film was “comforting” and helped her cope with the grief.
“Karan finished dinner (at my house) after my husband’s death. Ranbir said I should start working again, but I gave up the idea. Karan heard it and said he has a good script, at least I should have listened to it. I half said yes half heartedly. .
“Then when I heard the story, I was amazed, it was fun, beautiful and dramatic. Although I was not confident, I was short so I did the film, I knew it would help me, comfort me,” he added.
“Zukjak Geo” is scheduled to release in theaters on June 24.