Meet Neelam Kothari's first husband, a UK-based millionaire who asked his wife to change her identity and break off their relationship. Scroll down to find more details.

Neelam Kothari Soni, popularly known as Neelam, is an acclaimed Indian actress who was born on November 9, 1969. She made a name for herself in Hindi cinema with her debut in Jawaani (1984). Neelam gained fame through her numerous films alongside Govinda, including hits such as Love 86 (1986), Ilzaam (1986), Sindoor (1987), Khudgarz (1987), Hatya (1988), Farz Ki Jung (1989) and Billoo Badshah (1989). ), Taaqatwar (1989) and Do Qaidi (1989). Scroll down to find more details.

Neelam Kothari recently opened up about her first marriage and subsequent divorce with businessman Rishi Sethia. She revealed that after marriage, she was pressured to change her name, give up non-vegetarian food and adopt more traditional Indian attire.

Neelam said, “I was told to wear Indian clothes and avoid non-veg and alcohol. I agreed to everything. I was also asked to change my name and I did. A lot of people do that. But change my identity? I didn't agree with that. I had reached a stage where I began to question how I could let this happen.”

Meet Neelam Kothari's ex-husband

Neelam married UK-based businessman Rishi Sethia in 2000, but their union was short-lived and ended in divorce soon after. In 2011, she found love again with Sameer Soni. The couple expanded their family in 2013 when they adopted a daughter named Ahana.

Neelam Kothari further added, “One day I came back from work and Ahana was with her friends.” Normally, Ahana was constantly jumping, playing and screaming. But that day she was very quiet. Ahana came to me and said, Mom, you never told me that you are divorced. I was embarrassed when I heard that. I fell completely silent. I was at a loss for words. I asked Ahana, how did you know all this? I told her: You're a celebrity. That's why my friends and I googled you. The first thing that came up was that you were divorced. “You were married again.”

In 1998, Neelam was booked heavily under the Wildlife Act and the IPC for poaching two blackbucks in Kankani during the filming of Hum Saath Saath Hain alongside co-stars Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre and Tabu. After a long legal battle, she was acquitted by the CJM court in Jodhpur on April 5, 2018.