Yesteryears star Neelam Kothari says no to Bollywood

Kolkata: Having carved a niche for herself in the jewellery business, actress Neelam Kothari, who was last seen on the big screen as Salman Khan`s sister in `Hum Saath Saath Hain`, has no plans to return to films. "I have no plans to return to Bollywood. I am happy making inroads in jewellery designing. Since we had an old family business of manufacturing and supplying jewellery, I turned to designing and handling our business affairs," Neelam told reporters here. The 42-year-old actress was a popular face in the nineties, starring with Govinda in a number of films including `Khudgarz`, `Hatya` and `Taaqatwar`. Neelam turned her back to the camera in 1999 with the release of `Hum Saath...` and has been a successful jewellery designer ever since. "My collection is inspired by exquisite antique Victorian and Mughal heirlooms. Though fashioned after period pieces, the jewellery is designed to reflect today`s trends," Neelam, who made her debut on the silver screen in 1984, said. Her collection has a predominance of rose-cut diamonds, rubies and emeralds, ideal for bridal sets and wedding parties. She also has a less ornate line of cocktail jewellery in diamonds, perfect for trendy, party wear. Exquisitely handcrafted in 18 carat gold and platinum set with diamonds, emeralds and rubies, the collections include traditional and modern jewellery classics. "Kolkata has the best taste for jewellery in the entire country and is far better than Delhi," said Neelam. On the current trends in jewellery designing, she said that it was about individual preferences. "There are no trends now. People are buying according to their individual tastes and budget rather than following any trend," Neelam said. PTI