Nov 09 2016

Revisit Neelam’s most loved yesteryear songs on her birthday

by   Keyur Seta

Actress Neelam Kothari, fondly addressed as only Neelam, was a regular face in the 1980s and early 1990s. Although she has been out of action since the early 2000s, she continues to be remembered, not just for her pretty looks. On her 48th birthday, let’s revisit some of her popular songs. 

1 Aap Ke Aa Jane Se – Khudgarz (1987)

‘Aap Ke Aa Jane Se’ is an evergreen song that involves Neelam, along with Govinda. Composer Rajesh Roshan has played his part well with some impressive electronic sounds. This is one of his earliest hits in his brother Rakesh Roshan’s directorial. 

2 Tip Tip Tip Tip Baarish Shuru Ho Gayi – Afsana Pyar Ka (1991)

Neelam’s character isn’t singing the song here. But she is an important part since Aamir Khan’s character is reciting it for her. Almost every rain song in Hindi film features the lead pair romancing. But this one is a rare exception.

3 Kisko Tha Pata – Agneepath (1990)

‘Kisko Tha Pata’ is a romantic song with a good dose of humour. Neelam is trying to woo Mithun Chakraborty, whose face is partly bandaged. He also gets to mouth dialogues in the style of his iconic character Krisnan Iyer MA. Agneepath is an out-and-out Amitabh Bachchan film but this song is an exception. 

4 Tutak Tutak Tutiya – Ghar Ka Chirag (1990)

This is the remake of Malkit Singh’s Punjabi song. They have kept the title of the song intact and changed the rest of it in Hindi. The dance number instantly became famous and is still remembered. But very few people remember that Neelam and Chunkey Pandey shook a leg on it.

5 Patjhad Sawan Basant Bahar – Sindoor (1987)

This is yet another film where Neelam was cast opposite Govinda. But unlike her other hit numbers, this is more in the soothing classical zone. The sequence follows the yesteryear trend of an actor singing in an auditorium full of people, very much on the lines of ‘Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho.’