Neelam Kothari Shuts Down Decades-Old Romance Rumors with Govinda
In the vibrant era of 1980s Bollywood, the on-screen pairing of Govinda and Neelam Kothari captivated audiences with their undeniable chemistry in hit films like Ilzaam and Love 86 (1986). Their professional collaboration sparked immense popularity throughout the late 80s and early 90s, leading to widespread speculation about a potential real-life romance between the two stars.
Neelam's Candid Denial on Recent Podcast
During a recent appearance on a podcast hosted by Usha Kakade Productions, Neelam Kothari directly addressed these long-standing rumors once again. When questioned about gossip surrounding her alleged infatuation with Govinda before her marriage to Sameer Soni, the actress responded with surprise and clarity.
"O teri, who said this? Govinda ji bahut hi acchhe insaan hain, magar yeh jo sawaal hai, yeh sach nahi hai (Govinda is a good human being, but this question is not true)," she stated emphatically.
Neelam further elaborated, "He is a wonderful human being and we have done several hit films. But, this is not true. Sorry, sorry, but this isn't true at all. There's nothing between us." This marks yet another instance where the actress has dismissed the speculation as media-created gossip over the years.
Govinda's Contrasting Admissions from the Past
In stark contrast to Neelam's consistent denials, Govinda had openly confessed his feelings for her in a revealing 1990 interview with Stardust magazine. The actor explained that their frequent film collaborations fostered a close bond that eventually developed into romantic love from his perspective.
"We had so many films together. We met so often and the more I got to know her, the more I liked her. She was the kind of woman any man would have lost his heart to. I lost mine," Govinda had shared candidly.
He went further to claim that his attraction toward Neelam was so profound that it significantly impacted his personal life at the time. "I asked Sunita to leave me. I broke off my engagement with her. And had Sunita not called me after five days and coaxed me into it again, I would probably have married Neelam. I wanted to marry her. And I don't think there's anything wrong with that," the actor added.
Where Both Stars Stand Today
Govinda ultimately married Sunita Ahuja in 1987 when he was 24 years old and she was 18. The couple has since welcomed two children—daughter Tina and son Yashvardhan. Their marriage has recently garnered media attention following Sunita's allegations about Govinda's alleged extra-marital involvement with a younger woman.
Neelam Kothari's personal journey took a different path. She first married businessman Rishi Sethia in 2000, though the union ended in divorce shortly afterward. Following a brief relationship with actor Sameer Soni, she married him in 2011. The couple expanded their family by adopting their daughter, Ahana, in 2013.
The enduring fascination with this Bollywood rumor highlights how celebrity relationships from India's cinematic golden era continue to capture public imagination decades later, even as the stars themselves have moved forward with their separate lives and families.
