Neelam Kothari SLAMS Etihad airline for ‘neglect’ and lack of medical response; says she fainted after in-flight meal

Neelam Kothari calls out Etihad airline

Actor and jewellery designer Neelam Kothari has publicly criticised Etihad airline after a harrowing experience on her recent Toronto–Mumbai journey. The former actress revealed that the flight, already delayed by more than nine hours, turned into a frightening ordeal when she fell ill mid-air, fainted shortly after a meal, and allegedly received no medical follow-up from the cabin crew.

Sharing her account on X, Neelam wrote about the series of distressing events and her disappointment with the airline’s handling of the situation. “I am extremely disappointed with the treatment I received on my recent flight from Toronto to Mumbai. Not only was my flight delayed by over 9 hours, but I also fell seriously ill onboard, fainting after a meal. Despite a fellow passenger helping me back to my seat, I received no follow-up care or even a single check-in from your crew. I’ve tried contacting your customer service with no response. This level of neglect is unacceptable. Please address this matter urgently.”

Dear @etihad, I am extremely disappointed with the treatment I received on my recent flight from Toronto to Mumbai. Not only was my flight delayed by over 9 hours, but I also fell seriously ill onboard, fainting after a meal. Despite a fellow passenger helping me back to my seat,…

— neelam kothari soni (@neelamkothari) December 8, 2025

Her post sparked reactions online. One social media remarked, “Seems like a you problem. But let me try to get something out of it.” Neelam did not hesitate to respond, replying, “You wouldn’t be so flippant had it happened to you, my friend, or one of your loved ones!”

Many users expressed concern, some urged the airline to conduct an internal review of crew conduct and emergency procedures.

Neelam Kothari began her Bollywood career in 1984 with Jawaani and soon rose to prominence with films such as Love 86, Khudgarz, Hatya, and Hum Saath-Saath Hain. In the early 2000s, she stepped away from acting to focus on jewellery design. Her comeback into the entertainment space happened two decades later through the Netflix reality series Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, followed by appearances in Masaba Masaba and Made in Heaven 2.

Also Read: When Govinda confessed he hid his marriage from Neelam Kothari: I played dirty with her...

Despite returning to the limelight, Neelam has yet to return to mainstream films. Speaking to Mid-Day, she had explained her current mindset. “It's not like I've been offered any earth-shattering roles or even series. I have been offered stuff, but not something that makes you say ‘yes’. It's got to be something that interests me. When I did season one, I was in that space. I was very keen to make a comeback and act again. Now my priorities are sort of shifting a little bit because I'm realizing that I am doing a fair bit and my daughter is also growing up. So why not hang with her a little more before she packs her bags and is off to college?” she said.