Born on November 9, 1967, Neelam Kothari's Gujarati-Iranian family resided in Hong Kong. The actress, best remembered for her films in the late 80s, spent most of her childhood in Hong Kong and later moved to Bangkok. Well, destiny brought Neelam to the showbiz world (All pictures/Neelam Kothari's official Instagram account)
After her tenth grade, Neelam came to Mumbai from Hong Kong for holiday, when she was spotted by noted filmmaker Ramesh Behl. The director, best known for films such as Kasme Vaade and Pukar, lived in the same building as Neelam in Mumbai. He offered her his film. But Neelam's family was hesitant about their daughter taking up the acting profession
In fact, Neelam too wasn't confident enough on taking up the film offer, since she was not too familiar with Hindi. But as destiny had it, when Neelam's parents shifted from Hong Kong to Bangkok, she found it difficult to adjust to the American style of education prevalent there as opposed to the British curriculum she was used to in Hong Kong
As an escape route, Neelam Kothari remembered the film offer proposed by Ramesh Behl back in Mumbai and decided to give it a shot. Neelam was 17 when she made her debut in the film industry with Jawaani (1984)
While her debut did not perform well at Box Office, Neelam Kothari was noticed by quite a lot of filmmakers. Soon, she was flooded with offers.
Neelam Kothari's pairing with Govinda became very popular in the 80s, thanks to their chemistry in films such as Love 86 (1986), Sindoor (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Hatya (1988), Farz Ki Jung (1989), Taaqatwar (1989) and Do Qaidi (1989)
Other popular films of Neelam Kothari are Aag Hi Aag (1987), Paap Ki Duniya (1988), Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988), Ghar Ka Chiraag (1989), Mitti Aur Sona (1989), Doodh Ka Karz (1990), Agneepath (1990), Afsana Pyaar Ka (1991), Sahebzaade (1992) and Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United (1999)
Apart from her acting prowess, Neelam Kothari was popular for her dainty looks and elegant fashion sense
After her stint in Bollywood, Neelam Kothari soon joined her family business of designing and selling jewellery
In a candid chat with mid-day in 2011, Neelam Kothari was quoted saying, "I've had an interest in jewellery ever since I was a small girl. Even when I was doing films, I knew that I would take on my dad's jewellery business. In my free time, I would make it a point to head to his office and watch him at work. It might be premature to say this, but even when I have my own kids, I would want them to be interested in jewellery and take the family business forward"
In 2001, Neelam Kothari quit Bollywood and started out her jewellery business - Neelam Jewels. She runs multiple stores in Mumbai and is one of the most successful businesswomen in the jewellery field
Two years after their marriage, in September 2013, Neelam Kothari and Samir Soni adopted a baby girl, whom they named Ahana
Happily ever after! Neelam Kothari is living a blissful married life and keeps herself fully occupied with her jewellery business and looking after her daughter. Can't wait to watch this 80s beauty take over the web once again!
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