If Ranbir is north, Rishi Kapoor is south: Neetu Singh

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh are Bollywood’s all-time favourite on-screen and off-screen couple. After almost 20 years, they are coming together for Disney’s Do Dooni Chaar. Sreya Basu in conversation with the actors at the launch of the First Look of their film in Mumbai. Rishi-Neetu re-defined romance in Hindi films in the ’70s. Are you all set to re-create the same magic in Do Dooni Chaar? Rishi: Those days were fun. In those films, Khullam khulla we (Neetu and I) proposed to each other, danced around the trees, did all sorts of childish things. But after 30 years, we are now talking about sanskar (moral values) and aadarsh (principles). While everyone calculates do aur do paanch, we are that jodi who is more concerned about bringing up our children as good human beings so that they know two multiplied by two makes four, not five. What took Neetu so long to comeback in films (she did a cameo in Luv Aaj Kal in 2009)? Rishi: I will answer you why Neetu is back in films after 30 years. This film takes our on-screen love story a step forward. Only haasi mazak (having fun) ya thumka lagane se (dancing crazily) a pair doesn’t become a successful couple on-screen. It was essential for Neetu and I to come back together on celluloid and show how the Khel Khel Mein love has matured in these 30 years. What was the first thing you realized when faced each other in front of the camera? Rishi: We have grown old. (Laughs) Neetu: Well, I don’t want to praise him (Rishi). I started working in films at a very young age. At that time I didn’t realize what a great actor he is! Now, while shooting for Do Dooni Chaar, I realized the actor in him. Can you associate your real selves with that of the Duggals in Do Dooni Chaar? Neetu: Absolutely. In Do Dooni Chaar we are playing a middle-class couple, who has two kids. The family dreams of owning a car. In real life too, I consider myself as middle-class. Today’s middle-class housewife is like Mother India…she manages so many things.  Rishi: I had great fun doing this film. Throughout my career I had the image of a lover boy, songster…I always had a glamourous image. From there to playing a Punjabi middle-class teacher is really a new experience for me. Also, this character shows how to handle speed breakers in life with courage and honesty. In my life also, I had to overcome a number of speed breakers. Your film is releasing almost the same time when Ranbir’s Anjaana Anjaani hits the theatres. So, you two are all set to give a tough competition to him?  Rishi: All I can say is, this is the era of Ranbir Kapoor. And his parents are daring to compete with him. (Laughs) Neetu, everyone sees a young, ‘choco boyish’ Rishi Kapoor in Ranbir. What do you have to say?  Neetu: If Ranbir is north, my husband is south. They are of totally different nature. I don’t think Ranbir has even one thing that resembles my husband, except the voice.