Neelam Kothari Soni was one of the most popular actors - back in the 1990s. She has given some terrific films in Love 86 (1986), Ilzaam (1986), Sindoor (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Hatya (1988), and Farz Ki Jung (1989) among others. However, while speaking to The Times Of India, the actor mentioned that she had to quit the glamour and glitz world as she ‘wasn’t too excited about taking up the kind of roles she was being offered’. But guess who brought her back on screen? Well, he was none other than her good friend and filmmaker Karan Johar.
Neelam was notably seen in Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai where she essayed the role of the host of The Neelam Show.
In the interview, she said although she had done 40 films, she is still recognised for her last two screen outings (the second is Sooraj Barjatya’s Hum Saath Saath Hai). Looking back at her last two big-screen outings, she told the portal, “‘Kuch Kuch Hota Hai’ (‘KKHH’) and ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’ (‘HSSH’) happened after I had quit acting. Karan Johar, who is a dear friend, told me, ‘Look, you are playing yourself. It’s a cameo appearance. It will be fun’, and that was that. Little did I know that The Neelam Show I did in ‘KKHH’ would be such a big hit. In fact, the younger generation knows me from ‘KKHH’. Filmmaker Sooraj Barjatya too was extremely keen on having me on board for the part in ‘HSSH.”
Neelam was last seen in Kasam in 2001. After two decades, Neelam made her comeback with the web series Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives. However, now she thinks that films have become so diverse that it is the right time to be an actor.
“When I started, I was so young and was unfortunately stereotyped. The industry was also very different back then. Films would largely be about the hero. Today, actresses get to be the hero in their films! The kind of roles that are written and the films that are being made now are so diverse! Look at the content out there on the digital platforms, especially the homegrown ones. A large chunk of it is women-oriented. I think it’s a great time to be an actor. I wish I was acting now,” she told the portal.
Neelam Kothari Soni also appeared on the web show Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, where she was herself - the wife of Samir Soni. Her BFFs from the industry - Seema Khan (Sohail Khan's wife), Bhavana Pandey (Chunky Pandey's wife) and Maheep Kapoor (Sanjay Kapoor's wife) were also a part of the show. She will make an appearance on the second season of the show as well.
She was also recently seen as a guest judge on Super Dancer Chapter 4.
Image source: Instagram/ karanjohar/neelamkotharisoni