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TBT When Neelam Kothari Denied Rumours of an Affair with Govinda in the 90s
Updated on: 25 February, 2025 02:29 PM IST |Amruta Karulkar
Govinda and Neelam Kothari
The 90s were a golden era for Bollywood, filled with iconic movies, unforgettable music, and numerous link-up rumours between co-stars. One such rumour that made headlines was the alleged relationship between Neelam Kothari and Govinda. While Govinda openly expressed his admiration for Neelam in an old interview, Neelam later denied any romantic involvement.
In a past interview, Neelam addressed the dating rumours and stated, “That was not… I think link-ups were part of the whole game. There was no one to clarify. They just printed whatever they felt like and to be honest, I feel like in those days we were scared of the press. Because it was the power of the pen, and it was just part of it. If you did more than 2-3 films, it was just understood that… (you two must be dating).” She further added that most actors feared the print media at the time.
Also Read: If You Think Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives S2 Is Scripted, Neelam Kothari Spills The Truth
In contrast, Govinda had once admitted his feelings for Neelam. In a 1990 interview with Stardust, he revealed, “She was the kind of woman any man would have lost his heart to. I lost mine. 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.”
He also acknowledged the class differences between them, saying, “She wanted an intelligent, well-to-do, good-looking man as a husband. And I was anything but that. She belonged to the upper strata, and I was a dehati, coming from a lower-middle-class family. We were poles apart in every way. We probably would never have been successful as a married couple. And maybe Neelam realised that.”
Also Read: Govinda-Sunita Ahuja Divorce: Will 37 Years Of Marital Bliss Comes To An End?
Neelam’s statement came years after Govinda’s emotional confession. While Govinda openly admitted his feelings, Neelam maintained that their relationship was purely professional and that the rumours were just a byproduct of the industry. Regardless of what truly happened between them, their on-screen chemistry remains a cherished part of Bollywood’s golden era.
Also Read: Biwi No. 1 Turns 25: Did You Know Salman was Not the First Choice as Lead?
Neelam’s Response to Link-Up Rumors
Neelam Kothari and Govinda starred in over ten films together, including Love 86 (1986), Ilzaam (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Gharana (1989), and Farz Ki Jung (1989). Their on-screen chemistry was loved by fans, which led to widespread speculation about a real-life romance. However, Neelam clarified that the media was responsible for linking them up.In a past interview, Neelam addressed the dating rumours and stated, “That was not… I think link-ups were part of the whole game. There was no one to clarify. They just printed whatever they felt like and to be honest, I feel like in those days we were scared of the press. Because it was the power of the pen, and it was just part of it. If you did more than 2-3 films, it was just understood that… (you two must be dating).” She further added that most actors feared the print media at the time.
Also Read: If You Think Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives S2 Is Scripted, Neelam Kothari Spills The Truth
In contrast, Govinda had once admitted his feelings for Neelam. In a 1990 interview with Stardust, he revealed, “She was the kind of woman any man would have lost his heart to. I lost mine. 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.”
He also acknowledged the class differences between them, saying, “She wanted an intelligent, well-to-do, good-looking man as a husband. And I was anything but that. She belonged to the upper strata, and I was a dehati, coming from a lower-middle-class family. We were poles apart in every way. We probably would never have been successful as a married couple. And maybe Neelam realised that.”
Also Read: Govinda-Sunita Ahuja Divorce: Will 37 Years Of Marital Bliss Comes To An End?
Neelam’s Journey in Bollywood
Neelam Kothari made her Bollywood debut in 1985 and acted in over 30 films in the next decade. She was among the most popular actresses of the 80s and 90s and also starred in the hit film Hum Saath Saath Hain. She later quit films to focus on her jewellery business in the late 90s. However, she made a comeback to showbiz recently with the reality show Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives and an episode of Made in Heaven.Neelam’s statement came years after Govinda’s emotional confession. While Govinda openly admitted his feelings, Neelam maintained that their relationship was purely professional and that the rumours were just a byproduct of the industry. Regardless of what truly happened between them, their on-screen chemistry remains a cherished part of Bollywood’s golden era.
Also Read: Biwi No. 1 Turns 25: Did You Know Salman was Not the First Choice as Lead?
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