Today the actress turns 56!
A leading lady at a painfully young age - 14, it would be criminal now! -- Neelam was an underage working star in Jawani (1984). Known for her long hair, contemporary fashion, graceful as a dancer, her career/performance highlight is probably the Hindi/Bollywood version of Overboard, the charming Ek Ladka Ek Ladki - with Salman Khan. Alas this was before Khan mania had taken over, the film tanked at the box-office despite being a warm and wonderful comedy. Neelam steals the show as a haughty-toity humbled by life on a farm. While the 1980s kept her busy, the films petered out in the 90s.
Known for her successful pairings with Govinda (14 films) and Chunky Pandey (multiple movies), there weren't many performance-related movies in her career as she appeared in mostly commercial films in a strange decade in Hindi cinema where popular and artistic movies were clearly defined. The mindless mulch of mass cinema versus the arthouse. Despite obvious talent, Neelam never worked in serious cinema, opting for fun, frothy fare over award-winning movies.
Neelam's top five most successful films:
Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) — This is her biggest box office success overall. A massive family drama ensemble with Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Sonali Bendre, Karishma Kapoor, Mohnish Behl, Tabu and a host of others, it was a Blockbuster (net gross around ₹39 crore in 1999, one of the highest earners of the year). Neelam played a supporting role as one of the sisters-in-law, earning praise and a Zee Cine Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.
Ghar Ka Chiraag (1989) — A major hit opposite Rajesh Khanna and Chunky Pandey. It ranked among the top grossers of 1989 and is frequently cited by Neelam herself as one of her career's biggest hits. It performed strongly commercially in the late '80s landscape.
Khudgarz (1987) — One of her standout successes with Govinda. A superhit action-drama that boosted her popularity significantly during her peak phase. Neelam always danced like a dream; with a ballerina's grace and expressive face, she matched steps with her famed dancing co-star.
Hatya (1988) — Another strong hit with Govinda. It was commercially successful and part of her string of reliable performers in the Govinda-Neelam jodi.
Love 86 (1986) — Her early breakthrough hit with Govinda (and later followed by many collaborations). It was a major success that established her as a bankable lead in romantic-action films.
Most of new gen probably remembers her for her all-too brief but cute cameo in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - and now for the horrific but successful realty TV show, Bollywood wives or whatever that nonsense is called...
