Career
She made her acting debut with Ilzaam (1986) opposite debutant Govinda. She then starred opposite Govinda in the box office hits Love 86 (1986), Sindoor (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Hatya (1988), Farz Ki Jung, (1989), Taaqatwar (1989) and Do Qaidi (1989). She starred opposite Chunkey Pandey in films Aag Hi Aag (1987), Paap Ki Duniya (1988), Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988), Ghar Ka Chiraag (1989), and Mitti Aur Sona (1989).
Her career"s biggest hit remains Ghar Ka Chiraag opposite Rajesh Khanna in 1989.
She was also noticed for her appearance in the 1998 film Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, where she played herself as a VJ, and the multi-starrer classic hit Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United (1999). Her other films are Ek Ladka Ek Ladki opposite Salman Khan, Pratigyabandh, Doodh Ka Karz, Parampara, Banjaran, Ranbhoomi, Indrajeet, Agneepath, Gharana, Amiri Garibi, and Afsana Pyar Ka.
Her last release was Kasam in 2001. Neelam Kothari was born in Hong Kong.
As a child, she learnt to play the keyboard & danced Jazz Ballet.
Her family has a traditional jewellery making business, making high-class pieces. After her early childhood in Hong Kong, her family moved to Bangkok. Neelam was holidaying in Mumbai when she was approached by director Ramesh Behl.
She decided to give acting a shot and signed for the film Jawaani (1984) alongside Karan Shah, Tina Munim"s nephew.
Even while pursuing her career in acting, she was interested in jewellery designing and involved in her family business. She pursued a formal course in jewellery-designing in Mumbai and, after quitting films in 2001, started out commercially on her own under the name Neelam Jewels.
She opened a showroom in Mumbai in 2004. She then launched her jewellery store in Mumbai on 25 August 2011 under the name Neelam Kothari Fine Jewels.
