Neelam Kothari and Farah Khan are cousins — here's how they're related
Synopsis
Farah Khan's casual YouTube food vlog visit to Neelam Kothari's Mumbai home turned into a surprising family reveal — the two are cousins through marriage, a connection that goes all the way back to Farah being dispatched to Hong Kong to teach Neelam dance before her debut. Turns out, Neelam ended up teaching Farah instead.
Key Takeaways
Neelam Kothari and Farah Khan are cousins by marriage, not by blood — connected through Neelam's mother's sister, who is married to Farah's uncle.
Farah was sent to Hong Kong to teach Neelam dance ahead of her debut film, but says Neelam — trained in jazz ballet — ended up teaching her instead.
Neelam credits Farah with teaching her Michael Jackson's Moonwalk during that trip.
Farah later choreographed a song for Neelam in the film 'Laat Saab' featuring Jackie Shroff .
Neelam was previously married to industrialist Rishi Sethia in 2000 ; Samir Soni was previously married to model Rajlaxmi Khanvilkar before the two found each other.
Actress Neelam Kothari and filmmaker-choreographer Farah Khan have revealed a little-known family connection: the two are cousins, though not by blood. The disclosure came during Farah's visit to Neelam and her husband, actor Samir Soni's Mumbai home for Farah's popular YouTube food vlog series featuring cook Dilip.
How the Family Tie Works
'Let me tell everyone. Neelam and me are related. No one knows this. We are cousins. But not by blood. Neelam's mother's sister is my aunt,' Farah explained on camera. Neelam elaborated further: 'My aunt Mona is married to her uncle. Saroj uncle.' The connection, while not biological, is one the two women have shared for decades — and one that stretches back to the early days of Neelam's film career.
Dancing Lessons in Hong Kong
Farah recalled being sent to Hong Kong by her aunt to teach Neelam dance ahead of the actress's debut film. 'When Neelam came to Hong Kong for the first time, my aunt sent me to teach her. I used to do dancing and breakdancing. I was sent to teach her. I didn't teach her anything. She taught me because she was doing jazz ballet,' Farah said. Neelam fondly remembered the exchange: 'I remember you taught me Michael Jackson's steps. Moonwalk. All those Michael Jackson steps.' Years later, Farah went on to choreograph a song for Neelam in the film 'Laat Saab' alongside actor Jackie Shroff.
Neelam and Samir's Love Story
The visit also brought Neelam and Samir Soni's well-known love story back into focus. Samir was previously married to model Rajlaxmi Khanvilkar, but the two parted ways within six months of their marriage. Neelam, too, had been married before — to industrialist Rishi Sethia in 2000, a union that ended within a few years citing irreconcilable differences. She was also reportedly in a relationship with actor Bobby Deol during that period.
Finding Each Other
After navigating their respective personal journeys, Neelam and Samir eventually found their way to each other, building what fans and industry observers have long described as one of Bollywood's more grounded partnerships. The candid conversation on Farah's vlog offered a rare, warm glimpse into the overlapping personal and professional histories that bind this corner of the film industry together.
Point of View
Family ties, and professional collaborations routinely overlap in ways the public rarely sees. Farah Khan's vlog format is doing something mainstream interviews rarely achieve: it creates an unguarded setting where decades-old stories surface naturally. The Neelam-Farah connection is a small story, but it is a reminder that the industry's foundational relationships were often built not on sets, but in living rooms and across continents.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Neelam Kothari and Farah Khan related?
Neelam Kothari and Farah Khan are cousins by marriage, not by blood. Neelam's mother's sister is married to Farah's uncle, making them family through that marital connection.
Where did Farah Khan and Neelam Kothari first bond over dance?
The two bonded in Hong Kong, where Farah was sent by her aunt to teach Neelam dance ahead of her debut film. By Farah's own account, Neelam — trained in jazz ballet — ended up teaching her instead, including Michael Jackson's Moonwalk.
Which film did Farah Khan choreograph for Neelam Kothari?
Farah Khan choreographed a song for Neelam Kothari in the film 'Laat Saab', which also starred Jackie Shroff.
Who is Neelam Kothari married to?
Neelam Kothari is married to actor Samir Soni. Both had previous marriages before finding each other — Neelam was married to industrialist Rishi Sethia in 2000, while Samir was previously married to model Rajlaxmi Khanvilkar.
Where was the Farah Khan vlog with Neelam Kothari filmed?
The vlog was filmed at Neelam Kothari and Samir Soni's home in Mumbai, as part of Farah Khan's YouTube food vlog series featuring her cook Dilip.
