Entertainment / Thu, 18 Jun 2026 News18

Top 90s Actress Dated Bobby Deol, Married UK Tycoon Worth Rs 65,000 Crore, Daughter Found Out About Divorce On Google

Neelam's on-screen chemistry with Govinda sparked dating rumours for years, though the actress has repeatedly denied they were ever in a relationship. ADVERTISEMENT3 / 11 Meanwhile, Neelam and Bobby Deol were among Bollywood's most talked-about couples in the 1990s. 4 / 11 The actress later married UK-based businessman Rishi Sethia and stepped away from the spotlight, hoping to start a new chapter in life. ADVERTISEMENT5 / 11 Years later, Neelam revealed that the marriage left her feeling isolated. 10 / 11 Years after her divorce, Neelam revealed that daughter Ahana learnt about her first marriage through a Google search.

Last Updated: June 18, 2026, 14:41 IST

1 / 11 Before becoming one of Bollywood's most popular actresses of the 1980s and 1990s, Neelam Kothari moved to India from Hong Kong and had no plans of becoming a film star.

2 / 11 Her debut opposite Govinda turned into a success, and the pair went on to become one of the most loved on-screen couples of their era. Neelam's on-screen chemistry with Govinda sparked dating rumours for years, though the actress has repeatedly denied they were ever in a relationship.

3 / 11 Meanwhile, Neelam and Bobby Deol were among Bollywood's most talked-about couples in the 1990s. After dating for nearly five years, the actress decided to end the relationship, later saying she feared losing herself in the life that came with being a star wife.

4 / 11 The actress later married UK-based businessman Rishi Sethia and stepped away from the spotlight, hoping to start a new chapter in life.

5 / 11 Years later, Neelam revealed that the marriage left her feeling isolated. She claimed she was asked to change parts of her identity after moving abroad.

6 / 11 According to Neelam, she was told not to introduce herself as the actress people knew. She has spoken about how difficult it was to lose a sense of who she was.

7 / 11 The marriage eventually ended, and Neelam returned to India. She later admitted that walking away was one of the most important decisions of her life.

8 / 11 Love found her again when she met actor Samir Soni. The two tied the knot in 2011 after several years of dating.

9 / 11 The couple later adopted their daughter Ahana, with Neelam often describing motherhood as one of the happiest phases of her life.

10 / 11 Years after her divorce, Neelam revealed that daughter Ahana learnt about her first marriage through a Google search. The actress admitted she was "stumped" and wished her daughter had heard the story from her instead.