EXCLUSIVE: Neelam Kothari opens up about her debut at the age of 15; says, “I didn’t know Hindi at the time”

Neelam was born in Hong Kong to a Gujarati Jain father Shishir Kothari and an Iranian mother Parveen Kothari. Her family has a traditional jewellery-making business, making high-class pieces. In an exclusive interview with Bollywood Bubble, Neelam Kothari opens up on how she got her first film at 16.

Neelam Kothari opens up on how she got her first film

When asked about how she got her first film, Neelam Kothari shared, “When I joined films, the initial plan was to do just one film and go back. There’s a fun story behind it! My parents received an offer from Ramesh Behl. I was very friendly with Goldie, Nanu, and everyone, and I attended Nanu’s birthday party. Ramesh Behl was filming the party, and at one point, some boy hit me on my back.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Neelam (@neelamkotharisoni)

She continued, “I turned to look at him, and later when Ramesh saw the footage, he said, ‘That’s the girl I want for my next film.’ He called my mom and dad in Hong Kong, and even though we had moved to Bangkok by then, he was persistent. My parents kept saying no, but he wouldn’t give up. Finally, one day, out of the blue, my father casually mentioned over lunch that I had received a film offer. I was shocked and asked, ‘What do you mean I have a film offer? An English film or a Hindi film?’ He said it was a Hindi film. And I was taken aback because I didn’t know Hindi at the time!”

Neelam Kothari on her first film

The Jewellery designer added, “He explained it was from Nanu, Shrishti, and Goldie’s dad. I said, ‘The next time I go to Bombay, let me meet them and see what it’s all about.’ Long story short, I did my screen test and absolutely loved being in front of the camera. I told my parents, ‘Please let me do this one film!’ I was only 15 or 16 at the time. But I convinced them by saying that at least I could tell my grandchildren one day that I had acted in a Hindi film.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Neelam (@neelamkotharisoni)

Neelam concluded, “What started as one film led to another. The plan was to do just this one project and then return to school and study. But after the first film was released, the second offer came, then the third, and the fourth. Before I knew it, I was here to stay!”

Watch the full interview

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Advocate Vandana Shah clarifies on AR Rahman trolled for #hashtagging divorce with Saira; says, “It holds no real significance”