Govinda confesses his attraction to Neelam Kothari amid affair rumours, ‘She looked like a doll… Hum bawaal machate the’

In the 1990s, Govinda ruled Bollywood with a remarkable streak of blockbuster films and unforgettable dance numbers. Alongside his professional success, his personal life often found itself in the spotlight. One of the most talked-about rumours of that era linked him with actor Neelam Kothari.

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Years later, Govinda has finally addressed the speculation. In a recent conversation with Siddharth Kannan, the actor candidly spoke about his bond with Neelam and admitted that he felt drawn to her personality.

‘She Looked Like a Doll’: Govinda’s Honest Confession

Reflecting on the early days of their association, Govinda shared how Neelam’s charm immediately stood out to him.

Speaking about his attraction, he said, “Dekhiye hum sab jitne youngsters, jo gaon type ka hote hain, unn sabhi ke liye goriyan bahut achi lagti hain (See all of us village folk, we like fair women) Yeh jo opposite attraction hai na, yeh hua karta hai. (This attraction for someone who is the opposite kind, this happens.) She was different and such a good girl. Aise lagta tha jaise doll hai. (She looked like a doll).”

The actor recalled that he admired Neelam long before they worked together. He would watch her films and whistle in appreciation, never imagining that one day they would share screen space as co-stars.

How Romance Felt Different Back Then

Talking about the nature of relationships during that period, Govinda described a time when romance was more subtle and innocent compared to today.

He explained, “Uss time pe… Abhi yeh jaise affairs hote hain, vaise toh hote nahi the. Hum bawaal machate the… Ho gaya, lag raha hai chal raha hai. Pehle vala romance hota tha, voh dekhne maatr ka tha. Kitna acha kaam kar paye na hum log. Har film dekhiye… gaane superhit, filmein hit. (Back then, affairs were not like how they are today. We would make a lot of noise… We would think something is happening. Back then, romance was about just looking at each other. We got to do such good work together. See, every film was a hit and the songs were hits).”

Interestingly, Govinda had also spoken about Neelam decades earlier. In a 1990 interview with Stardust, he had admitted, “We had so many films together. We met so often, and the more I got to know her, the more I liked her. She was the kind of woman any man would have lost his heart to. I lost mine.”

A Popular Bollywood Pair

Govinda and Neelam became one of the most loved on-screen couples of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Appearing together in more than a dozen films, their chemistry resonated strongly with audiences. They starred in memorable films such as Love 86 and Ilzaam (1986), Khudgarz and Sindoor (1987), and later releases including Farz Ki Jung, Billoo Badshah, Taaqatwar, and Gharana in 1989.

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Where They Are Now

Govinda has been largely absent from films in recent years. His last release was Rangeela Raja (2019), which did not perform well at the box office, and he has not appeared in any new projects since then. Neelam, meanwhile, continues to remain visible on screen. She was last seen in the third season of Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, which premiered on Netflix in 2024.