Neelam Kothari, a prominent actress from the 1980s, debuted with "Jawani" in 1984. The star-lady found success with Govinda and starred in many hits. Known for her stellar acting & charismatic looks, she reflects on those films in an interview.
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00:00Neelam has this big no for sexy numbers, sexy scenes so for me marriage is
00:07something which is a lifelong commitment. Neelam we like you in these sort of
00:13roles. The minute I put on a sari and I do those heavy emotional scenes and
00:19dialogues, I don't think people accept me like that.
00:30Why didn't you join films and how did you enter the industry?
00:34Well, it was never an ambition, it was just by choice that I came into films. I got the
00:43offer and I said let me try it out and here I am.
00:50Which director do you think has applied to your film the best?
00:56Well, I can't pinpoint and say you know this director in particular but I feel
01:07Shibu Mitra, K Bapaya, Vijay Sadhana, these are a few of my favourites.
01:15What do you think in terms of Indian art cinema?
01:26Well, I'd love to try out an art movie. It's something different, you can really,
01:36that's where you can really show your talent. It's different, it's totally
01:43different from our normal feature films.
01:48So, you would be in this in 21?
01:50Definitely, I would. One.
01:54As an Indian, you are not very fluent in English, do you think it's a drawback?
02:00I am fluent when you give me the dialogues, it's just that my only problem is that
02:06I think in English. Otherwise, with my dialogues, I'm fine.
02:12You have done this movie quite some time, after a pretty long time.
02:18You had to, according to box office, you had to wait. What do you have to say about that?
02:26Well, I can say it's very unfortunate because everybody worked hard, everybody
02:34thought the outcome would be better. Although it was a technically very good
02:40movie, there were good performances in it, I really don't know what went wrong.
02:47You have taken this movie after a pretty long time, one or two movies at a time.
02:53Pardon?
02:54These two movies that you are doing now.
02:56No, I'm doing more than two films, I've got about five, six films in hand.
03:00But that too is after a pretty long time.
03:03Yeah, I've been very selective, I've been choosing my roles. I want to do good
03:11roles. I'm tired of doing a couple of scenes, two songs. I'd rather do something that's
03:19more satisfactory for me.
03:22So you want to choose your roles?
03:25Yes.
03:26Is there any kind of role that you want to do and you're not able to do it so far?
03:32Well, when I saw Indecent Proposal, I said to myself, I'd love to do a role like this
03:38and I got it. Sardar is on the line of Indecent Proposal.
04:00Is there any kind of role that you want to do and you're not able to do it so far?
04:07There was this English film called Bangkok Hilton, which was made by Yash Johar Mahesh
04:16Bhatt, Gumrah. That was one role that I was very keen on doing.
04:22So now that you have been so choosy about your films, there are a lot of sexy scenes
04:30and now that you do this, what do you feel about it?
04:35Are there directors? Do you know how to create one situation?
04:39See, I suppose when a producer-director takes me on in a project, they know that Neelam
04:47has this big no for sexy numbers, sexy scenes. So the question just doesn't arise of a
04:57sexy number or scenes.
04:59What do you think in general about what is happening? Why do I think it's required?
05:05I don't think it's required at all. I think there's no need.
05:11What would you like to say about marriage?
05:16Marriage. For me, marriage is something which is a lifelong commitment.
05:21I think you've got to think like 10 times before you step into marriage.
05:29And I'm very scared. I'm very scared of marriage.
05:32How do you think the career in this industry can get married and then work at the same time?
05:44Well, it depends on each individual. I personally, as an individual, I don't think I could.
05:50You know, work in films and be a housewife at the same time.
05:55I feel once I get married, I'm not going to sit at home and do nothing.
05:59I'll probably have a side business or something. I haven't decided yet, but not films.
06:06What about your future plan?
06:11I've still got to find Mr. Right.
06:20What else do you think you would be doing if you weren't married?
06:27I think I would have been in my father's business.
06:31I would have finished my studies, number one.
06:38And I guess I would have been abroad with my brother.
06:40And how do you like the film industry generally?
06:47Every line, every industry has its pros and cons, but I love it.
06:53I love it.
06:55Can you tell us your five favorite movies?
06:58I would have to say, I would have to say, I would have to say,
07:03I would have to say, I would have to say,
07:07I love it.
07:09Can you tell us your five negative points and five positive points?
07:17Five? Three? Okay.
07:25Okay, negative. I'm very stubborn.
07:28Very hot-tempered. I don't look it, do I?
07:31And I always feel that what I think is right.
07:38I feel those are my negative points.
07:41My plus points, well, I can only think of one,
07:47is that I forget, I forgive and I forget.
07:50The other two plus points, I don't know.
07:53Can you give us the five best films that you feel you've done so far?
07:57Well, I'll tell you my point of view,
08:01irrespective of how the films did.
08:04Obviously, my first film.
08:06I'll never forget the making of Jawaani.
08:09Secondly, Paap Ki Duniya.
08:13We had a lot of fun during that.
08:15Parampara.
08:17Of course, Ek Ladka Ek Ladki.
08:19I mean, that's been one of my favorite movies.
08:22How many was that?
08:24Three.
08:25Then there was a film called Ghar Ka Chirag.
08:30That film I enjoyed because it was a very different role for me.
08:34At that age.
08:36And I think Soda.
08:41I've enjoyed doing this film.
08:43You basically have this personality of showing your mind,
08:48growing up teenager, coming of age.
08:50Teenager?
08:52I'm no more a teenager.
08:53I'm no more a teenager.
08:55You're changing your roles now, is it?
08:57No.
08:59You seem to remain the same.
09:01Love 86 then.
09:03Well, not exactly Love 86.
09:05That's like asking for too much.
09:07But I think my fans, people who send me fan letters,
09:13they say, Neelam, we like you in these sort of roles.
09:16The minute I put on a saree and I do those
09:19heavy, emotional scenes and dialogues,
09:23I don't think people accept me like that.
09:25They like me the way I am.
09:28Who's your inspiration?
09:32Nobody.
09:34Nobody?
09:36Because everyone is working.
09:38Sorry?
09:40I enjoy. I enjoy my work.
09:43Any message you want to send to your fans?
09:48What can I say?
09:49Well, I'd like to say whatever I am today,
09:52it's because of all my fans.
09:55And I'd like to say that I love you all.
10:19I love you.
10:21I love you.
10:23I love you.
10:25I love you.
10:27I love you.
10:29I love you.
10:31I love you.
10:33I love you.
10:35I love you.
10:37I love you.
10:39I love you.
10:41I love you.