Neelam Kothari, a former Bollywood actress and star of Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, has once again opened up about her past in the show’s third season. With a mix of emotion and vulnerability, Neelam, alongside her friends Maheep Kapoor, Bhavna Pandey, and Seema Sajdeh, has provided viewers with an entertaining glimpse into their lives. This season, however, sees her reminiscing about a challenging chapter from her past—the story of her first marriage to UK-based businessman Rishi Sethia, scion of one of the wealthiest Asian families in Britain.
Neelam’s Emotional Revelation
In one of the episodes, while chatting with producer Ekta Kapoor, Neelam revealed intimate details about the hardships she faced in her first marriage. Neelam recalled that she was required to make significant changes to her lifestyle, including giving up certain foods, wearing traditional Indian clothes, and even changing her name. She accepted these conditions until she realized that she was being asked to abandon her very identity.
“I was told to wear Indian clothes, give up non-veg, and alcohol. I was fine with everything. I was also asked to change my name, and I did that, too. A lot of people do that. But, changing my identity? That is something I was not okay with,” Neelam shared. Reflecting on moments where people would approach her in public, recognizing her as “Neelam the actress,” she had to deny her identity. This revelation struck a chord with viewers and has led many to wonder about Rishi Sethia, the man from her past.
Who is Rishi Sethia?
Rishi Sethia, Neelam’s ex-husband, hails from a powerful and wealthy family based in the UK. Born into the illustrious Sethia family, he is the son of industrialist Nirmal Kumar Sethia and the late Chitra Devi Sethia. The family moved to London in 1969, where they built a successful business empire. Their luxury tea brand, Newby, caters to five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants worldwide, and the family’s wealth is estimated at a staggering Rs 65,000 crore (6.5 billion pounds).
The Sethia Legacy: From Business to Philanthropy
Rishi’s father, Nirmal Kumar Sethia, not only built a fortune through his ventures but also established the N Sethia Foundation, a charitable organization that supports various causes. The foundation funds medical research, education for underprivileged children, cultural preservation, and disaster relief efforts.
The Sethia family also made headlines for their extravagant tastes. In 2016, they commissioned a Guinness World Record-holding teapot, encrusted with diamonds and rubies, valued at $3 million (Rs 25 crore). The project was aimed at highlighting the cultural significance of tea.
A Lavish Wedding and Sudden Divorce
Neelam Kothari and Rishi Sethia tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Bangkok in October 2000. However, their marriage was short-lived, and the couple filed for divorce soon after. Although details of their split remained private for years, Neelam’s revelations on Fabulous Lives have shed light on the personal struggles that contributed to the end of their relationship.
Life After Divorce
After parting ways with Rishi, Neelam found love again with actor Samir Soni, whom she married in 2011. The couple has been happily together since. As for Rishi, in 2015, he married Queenie Singh, a former Miss India winner and renowned jewellery designer. However, his second marriage reportedly led to tension within his family. According to reports from The Economic Times, Rishi’s father, Nirmal Sethia, disapproved of the union and consequently excluded him from his lavish inheritance.
