After her early childhood in Hong Kong, her family moved to Bangkok and Neelam was holidaying in Mumbai and was approached by Ramesh Behl. She decided to give it a shot and did Jawaani in 1984 alongside Karan Shah (Tina Munim’s nephew), but the film became a flop. She soldiered on ahead and became famous in 1986 in the film Ilzaam opposite another debutante Govinda. She went on to make a regular pairing with Govinda in movies such as Love 86 (1986), Khudgarz (1987), Hatya (1988), Taaqatwar (1989) and Do Qaidi (1989). She also Starred in the 1987 Hit film, Aag Hi Aag opposite Dharmendra and Chunkey Pandey and directed by Shibu Mitra
Since then she made many other movies in the late 1980s met with mixed success. She is also noted for her appearance in the 1998 movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai where she appeared as herself in the movie playing a VJ. In 1999 she appeared in the multi-starrer family film Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United.
Her most recent release was Kasam in 2001.
Even while pursuing her career in acting, she was into jewellery designing and was involved in the family business. She did a formal course in Mumbai and after saying goodbye to films in 1999, she started her out commercially on her own under the name of Neelam Jewels. She opened her showroom in Mumbai in 2004 and has never looked back since.
Movies Done By Neelam Kothari
- 1984 Jawaani Sanam
- 1986 Ilzaam Aarti
- 1986 Andaz Pyar Ka
- 1986 Love 86 Esha
- 1987 Aag Hi Aag Aarti
- 1987 Khudgarz Jyoti
- 1988 Taaqatwar Bijli
- 1988 Hatya Sapna
- 1988 Waqt Ki Awaz Dancer, Singer
- 1988 Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein Shyam Jaya
- 1988 Khatron Ke Khiladi Sunita
- 1988 Paap Ki Duniya Aarti
- 1988 Sindoor Lalita Kapoor
- 1989 Gharana Lalita
- 1989 Do Qaidi Neelu
- 1989 Ghar Ka Chiraag Kiran
- 1989 Hum Bhi Insaan Hain Rekha
- 1989 Mitti Aur Sona Anupama
- 1990 Vishnu Devaa
- 1990 Mandira Bengali film
- 1990 Badnam Kajol Bengali film
- 1990 Shankara Seema
- 1990 Doodh Ka Karz Reshma
- 1990 Upkar Dhoodhache Reshma Marathi film
- 1990 Chor Pe Mor Ritu
- 1990 Amiri Garibi Jyoti
- 1990 Agneepath Siksha Chavan
- 1990 Zakhm Aarti
- 1990 Billoo Badshah Jyoti
- 1990 Farz Ki Jung Kavita
- 1990 Dost Garibon Ka Rekha
- 1991 Kasak Divya
- 1991 Meet Mere Man Ke
- 1991 Ranbhoomi Neelam
- 1991 Indrajeet Neelam
- 1991 Afsana Pyaar Ka Nikita
- 1992 Ek Ladka Ek Ladki Renu / Rani
- 1992 Khule-Aam Priya
- 1992 Sahebzaade Chinar
- 1992 Laat Saab Anju / Mona
- 1993 Parampara Sapna
- 1995 Santaan Asha
- 1995 Antim Nyay Rekha
- 1996 Ek Tha Raja Shilpa
- 1996 Sauda Jyoti
- 1996 Aadithya Kannada film
- 1997 Mohabbat Aur Jung Priya
- 1998 Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Herself as VJ Neelam Special Appearance
- 1999 Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United Sangeeta
- 2000 Pattar Aur Payal
- 2001 Kasam Bindiya