In the shimmering world of Bollywood where reel often blurs into real, few stories have stirred as much intrigue as the one involving Govinda and Neelam Kothari. Their on-screen chemistry, which began with the 1986 hit Ilzaam, captivated audiences and led to a string of successful films — over 14 in total.
But behind the scenes, a complex, emotionally charged tale of unspoken love, personal choices, and heartbreak quietly unfolded.
Born in Hong Kong, Neelam Kothari never planned on becoming a Bollywood actress. She was merely holidaying in Mumbai when she was spotted and offered her debut role in Jawaani.
However, it was Ilzaam, her second film, opposite a debuting Govinda, that truly etched her into the hearts of the audience. Their sizzling chemistry onscreen was undeniable, and fans began rooting for them as a couple — little did they know how much that mirrored real life.
While Neelam remained composed and professional, Govinda had fallen deeply for her. In a candid interview with Stardust, he described his affection as "pure love and not lust", making it clear that what he felt went beyond a passing infatuation. Govinda, who would go on to be hailed as Bollywood’s comic hero extraordinaire, admitted that from the moment he met Neelam, he was smitten.
Still, he recognised how different they were. Neelam, with her polished, cosmopolitan background, was a stark contrast to Govinda’s rooted, small-town sensibility. Despite the differences, his feelings only grew stronger. Their friendship blossomed, but the love remained heartbreakingly one-sided. As fate would have it, Govinda was already committed to another woman — Sunita.
As per Bollywood Shaadi, Govinda and Sunita had a whirlwind courtship in the mid-1980s, having met at his uncle’s home. Their bond deepened quickly, aided by letters and secret meetings, despite Sunita’s mother's disapproval of his profession. They married in a low-key temple ceremony on March 11, 1987, long before the public knew — and crucially, before Neelam knew either.
He later confessed, “Neither did Neelam know about it. She got to know only after a year. I probably did not tell her because I did not want to break this successful screen pair. And to be honest, to a certain extent, I did exploit my personal relationship with Neelam for professional ends. I played dirty with her. I should have told her that I was married.”
His honesty extended to how he treated Sunita during this emotional tug-of-war. He admitted, "I would tell Sunita to change herself and become like Neelam. I would tell her to learn from her. I was merciless. Sunita would get irritated. She would tell me, ‘You fell in love with me because of what I am, don't ever try to change me'. But I was so confused. I didn't know what to own"
Eventually, Govinda and Sunita went public with their relationship after the birth of their daughter, Tina Ahuja, in 1988. Meanwhile, Neelam moved on. She married businessman Rishi Sethia in 2000, but the marriage ended in divorce.
In 2009, she met actor Samir Soni through Ekta Kapoor, and the two tied the knot in 2011. In 2013, they adopted their daughter, Ahana, and have since embraced a life of happiness and quiet strength.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
