Govinda admits he was attracted to doll-like Neelam Kothari, reveals his love
Govinda talked about his relationship with former co-star Neelam Kothari, remembering his admiration for her and the buzz over their chemistry. His latest comments are again a reminder of a memorable era of Bollywood.
Bollywood star Govinda has opened up about his past relationship with former co-star Neelam Kothari and admitted that he was once very attracted to her. In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, the actor admitted that he found Neelam “doll-like” and revealed that their closeness in the late 1980s and early 1990s often sparked romance rumours.
Recalling that period of his career, Govinda said that there was genuine admiration and attraction between them. She also revealed how their on-screen partnership created a stir among fans at that time. “We used to create ruckus.” he said while describing the excitement and speculation that surrounded them during their run as one of Bollywood’s most popular couples.
❮❯
What did Govinda say on his attraction towards Neelam Kothari?
During the interview, Govinda told why Neelam left such a deep impression on him. According to the actor, he found her personality and looks completely different than before.
He explained that growing up, he often found himself attracted to people who looked different from him. Describing Neelam, he said that she looked “like a doll” and her gentle, charming appearance immediately stood out.
Govinda also recalled that he used to watch his films before working together. At the time, he would admire her from a distance and whistle when he saw her on screen – something he never imagined would happen as he would eventually co-star in multiple films.
Were Govinda and Neelam really in a relationship?
The actor did not explicitly confirm the formal relationship, but admitted that their bond often leads to speculations. According to Govinda, the nature of romance in the industry was quite different at that time.
He said that relationships were not discussed openly like today. Instead, the chemistry between the actors is often visible through subtle gestures and moments shared on set. “At that time, romance just meant looking at each other,” he said, adding that whenever there was strong chemistry between two actors, people assumed something was happening.
Govinda suggested that the rumors largely stemmed from their frequent collaborations and the ease they share on screen.
In which films did both of them work together?
Govinda and Neelam became one of the most recognizable on-screen couples of the late 1980s and early 1990s. They worked together in over a dozen films, many of which performed well at the box office.
Their collaborations included titles like Love 86 and Ilzaam Khudgarj and Sindoor. The pair also appeared together on several 1989 releases, including Farz Ki Jung, Billu Badshah, Taktawar and Gharana.
Many of these films included chart-topping songs and helped solidify their popularity among audiences.
Where are Govinda and Neelam now?
In recent years, both the actors have taken different paths in their careers. Govinda’s last film was Rangeela RajaWhich was released in 2019 but did not perform well at the box office. Since then, the actor has largely stayed away from new film projects.
Meanwhile, Neelam returned to the limelight through the reality series Wonderful life of Bollywood wives. She appeared in its third season, which premiered on Netflix in 2024, giving viewers a glimpse into her personal and professional life today.