Neelam Kothari and Govinda were one of the most beloved on-screen pairs of the late 1980s and early 1990s in Bollywood. Their chemistry was effortless, youthful, and full of charm, making them a fan-favorite duo during that era. They often starred in light-hearted romantic dramas and dance-centric entertainers, and their pairing symbolized innocent, vibrant Bollywood romance. Their on-screen rapport was fresh and natural, and they became a recurring romantic pair in multiple films. Soon, the friendship between the co-stars had blossomed into one-sided love.
An old interview of the actor has resurfaced online in which he disclosed that he did not tell Neelam about his marriage with Sunita and admitted to "exploiting" his personal relationship with Neelam for professional needs.
During an earlier interview with Stardust, Govinda said, “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.”
Throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s, Govinda and Neelam were a popular duo due to their exceptional on-screen chemistry. However, because Govinda was already committed to his long-time partner, Sunita, their off-screen relationship never really developed. Whatever bond they had eventually faded into a brief period in Bollywood's history.
Govinda further revealed that he was so smitten of Neelam Kothari that he would often bring her up in discussions with his wife, Sunita. He had such a strong admiration for Neelam that he even made a comparison between the two women and once urged Sunita to become more like Neelam.
“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," he said.
On March 11, 1987, Govinda and Sunita were married in a low-key temple ceremony. After the birth of their daughter, Narmada (Tina) Ahuja, the couple decided to make their marriage public after choosing to keep it secret for years. They also have a son, Yashvardhan Ahuja.
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As one of Bollywood's most resilient couples, Govinda and Sunita have supported one another through the highs and lows of life and the entertainment industry for almost forty years. The two continue to have a close and affectionate relationship despite sporadic rumours of their separation, which they have always denied.
Meanwhile, Neelam Kothari found her own happily-ever-after with actor Samir Soni. The couple is happily married and are proud parents to their daughter, Ahana Soni.
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