Khel Khel mein...

MANISHA ALMADI / TNN / Dec 17, 2005, 20:52 IST

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Rishi Kapoor is still very much in love with his sardarni, as he fondly calls wife Neetu.

Rishi Kapoor is still very much in love with his sardarni, as he fondly calls wife Neetu.
To the manor born: "Being born a Kapoor is a blessing and honour," says Rishi. "But, being a Kapoor doesn't ensure success. I struggled, worked hard and was honest.
I was compared to dad, my uncles and my brothers and told that I aped my chacha Shashi Kapoor but I took all that as a compliment.I also had Lady Luck smiling on me," he says.
Lady killer: Rishi met success early in the form of Bobby. One movie and he was a teenage heartthrob. Recounts Rishi, "I remember 200 girls standing at the Parliament in Delhi with Bobby written on their T-shirts. It was a high for me!"

Meet the parents: From an actor to Kapoor bahu, Neetu took on every role with grace. Says Neetu, "Marriage was not a transition for me because I had known the Kapoor family all along. I grew up with them, so I blended easily.
I was very comfortable. The Kapoors' are very good people who gave me a lot of love and affection and made me happy. They have been very supportive of me.
I am lucky to be a part of the family. And when you have people who love you so much, you don't need anyone else around you."

No time for work: Rishi says, "I was blamed for making Neetu quit films. But it was Neetu's decision which she took at the peak of her career. I had nothing to do with it. We were in love and wanted to get married and start a family.
And Neetu was expecting Riddhima." Adds Neetu, "Then I had Ranbir and a new home. There was no pressure to go back to acting. I had begun my career as a child artiste at the age of five and was in the profession for 15 years.
It wasn't easy shooting in the sun and rains. I didn't have a normal childhood. I had no friends. So, I was tired of it all."
Food fads: Smiles Neetu, "The Kapoor family loves food and I learnt a lot about it after marrying Rishi. I tell him to control his diet but he never listens to me. Being healthy is not in their genes.
But I am always after him to cultivate this as a habit. I am trying to mould Rishi according to me. And now, he thinks twice before consuming oily food.
I have been able to change my kids' eating habits. They haven't put on the extra kilos and I hope they remain this way."
Marriage matters: "I am excited and anxious! Riddhima's getting married on January 25 in Mumbai. I will be lonely when she leaves. But then, this is life. The preparations are in full swing right now.
We are making sure that it is not a filmi wedding, but a family affair. Both Riddhima and Bharat are very happy. They met while studying in London and fell in love," says Neetu.
Gen X's debut: When it comes to the second generation making their movie debut, the couple has this to say, "Riddhima never wanted to be in films. She just wanted to get married. However, Ranbir always had films on his mind and he will join movies in 2009."
Second innings: Neetu seemed to have hung her boots, good and proper. "I am not staging a comeback anytime in near future," she says. Rishi, meanwhile, is "happy that I am still around."

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