Neelam Kothari was born on 9 November 1969 in Hong Kong. She grew up in a Gujarati Jain and Parsi family and was educated at Island School in Hong Kong. During her childhood, she learned to play the keyboard and trained in Jazz Ballet. Her family has a long-established jewellery business, which later influenced her own career as a jewellery designer.
While visiting Mumbai as a teenager, Neelam was noticed by filmmaker Ramesh Behl, who offered her a role in Jawaani (1984). She accepted the opportunity and made her Hindi-film debut opposite Karan Shah. Although Jawaani was not commercially successful, it marked the beginning of her film career.
Her breakthrough came with Ilzaam (1986) opposite Govinda. The film established her as a popular young actress, and she subsequently formed a successful on-screen pairing with Govinda. They worked together in numerous films, including Love 86 (1986), Sindoor (1987), Khudgarz (1987), Hatya (1988), Farz Ki Jung (1989), Billoo Badshah (1989), Taaqatwar (1989) and Do Qaidi (1989).
Neelam also frequently appeared opposite Chunky Pandey. Their films included Aag Hi Aag (1987), Paap Ki Duniya (1988), Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988), Ghar Ka Chiraag (1989) and Mitti Aur Sona (1989).
Among her other notable films was Agneepath (1990), in which she played Amitabh Bachchan's sister. She continued working through the 1990s in films such as Shankara, Ek Ladka Ek Ladki, Banjaran, Afsana Pyar Ka, Parampara, Santaan and Deewangee.
Neelam made appearances in two particularly popular films toward the end of her acting career. She played a small but memorable role as a DJ in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) and appeared as Sangeeta Chaturvedi in Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999).
After leaving mainstream acting, Neelam developed a successful career in jewellery designing and launched her own jewellery business. She later returned to the public eye through the Netflix reality series Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, which began in 2020.
Neelam married Samir Soni in 2011. The couple adopted a daughter, Ahana, in 2013. She continues to be active in jewellery design and entertainment-related projects. Current 2026 coverage also continues to feature Neelam and her family life.