Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives S3: Neelam Kothari opens up about her divorce; reveals ex-husband Rishi Sethia asked her to 'wear Indian clothes, give up non-veg and drinks'

Neelam Kothari, known for her roles in iconic Bollywood films like Hum Saath Saath Hain, Agneepath, and Khudgarz, made a remarkable return to the screen with Netflix's Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives in 2020. With the third season of the series now streaming, Neelam candidly shared insights into her personal life, particularly her past marriage to Rishi Sethia.

In one of the episodes, Neelam discussed her divorce from Rishi Sethia, with filmmaker Ekta Kapoor. She revealed the pressures she faced during her marriage, where her ex-husband asked her to conform to traditional expectations. "I was told to wear Indian clothes, give up non-veg, and don't drink. I was fine with everything. Changing my name also, according to me, people do that, but changing my identity, that is something I was not okay with," Neelam explained.

Neelam reflected on the internal conflict she experienced, questioning why she allowed her ex-husband to impose such conditions. She recounted moments when she would be approached by people in public places, asking if she was an actress, to which she would deny. This denial stemmed from a place of lost identity, a struggle she found difficult to endure despite her efforts to make the relationship work. She emphasised that no woman should have to lose her identity to fit into someone else's expectations.

In the same episode, Neelam also shared a conversation with her daughter, Ahana, about her divorce. Ahana had inquired about her parents' separation after finding information online. Neelam recounted this moment with a sense of openness, and explained the impact of her celebrity status on her daughter's curiosity.