A fixer upper

Neelam Kothari Soni

Like in the movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, real life is turning out to be the Neelam Show as well. Along with helming the eponymous jewellery brand, Neelam Jewels, and acting in 2020's hit Neflix show Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, Kothari dawns a new avatar - that of interior designer. But like most things in her life, she says, this wasn't planned. "Interiors is not something I had thought about. I knew Behzad [Kharas, chairman and managing director of the BMK Group, a luxury interiors and architecture services brand], through common friends and socially. We'd meet and he'd say, ‘Why don't you do interiors?' But, it wasn't my world."

When she did finally decide to give what he had said a thought, she requested that she apprentice before making a commitment. It was how she had learnt the ropes of jewellery design too, on the job with her father. The group was beginning work on a residential apartment project, and Kothari decided this would be her learning ground to know more about colours, fabrics and textures. "It was my training, in a way. And I loved it all. Now, it's an extension of my jewellery designing career. I am definitely in it all the way."

Her work has taken her around the world, and she has been lucky to have experienced some of the best hotels and homes. This set the tone, she thinks. A designer, of any kind, Kothari thinks, never stops observing. "If you choose to create - whether fashion, interiors or jewellery - you must have an eye for design. When I'd travel to Rajasthan, the architecture, and detailing on the walls, would inspire me. I'd take pictures to see if I could incorporate an element or two in my home. My jewellery is inspired by iron cast grills, floor designs and Mughal architecture. The wheel has turned now. Because of my brush with architecture, I am able to apply the training at home. If something is leaking, I know why!"

While it's expected that clients would like to have a celebrity eye watch over their interiors, Kothari is clear that her preferences won't overshadow customer needs. "My personal style includes a lot of wood, skin and leather. But I will go with what the client wants, whether modern or clean. I make a suggestion, they offer their input, and we meet halfway," says the actor whose personal favourite is Kelly Hoppen, who has designed for David and Victoria Beckham, and "has a knack for creating space in a small environment and making places look larger, which is great for a place like Mumbai". Ralph Lauren is another favourite for his old-world feel, and Andrew Martin for his statement pieces.

Despite the lack of technical knowhow, what Kothari could be bringing to the table, thanks to her jewellery training, is her eye for detail. "So glad you got that! I have an eye, which can see things others don't. I can tell the babu [jewellery maker] what is wrong, even without wearing an eye loop. I say, this prong is crooked, this is not polished. And he says, no way. Then, he puts on his loop and says, you are right! I remember telling the BMK team, this line is not straight, and they would say, it's straight..." she laughs.

With everything going on in her life, Kothari says she plans to take it slow. A couple of residential projects are currently underway that she is involved with. "I am going to have to be selective, but I am here to stay. And hopefully, this will become bigger and better."