Neelam, a popular face from the ’80s and ’90s, made her showbiz comeback with a reality show on OTT. The series Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives brought her back into the spotlight, which translated into interesting opportunities. However, instead of speeding up on the career front, Neelam says she wants to slow down. The actress, who’s married to actor Samir Soni and has a daughter, Ahana, says she is keen to strike the right balance between work and family time.

Ask her why she isn’t encashing on the popularity of the show, and she replies, “See, when I first did season one of Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives, I thought, ‘Well, this isn’t that bad, and I don’t mind continuing with the acting gig.’ But now, when I am getting offers and reading scripts, I have realized a few things. My daughter is 11, and she’s growing up, and I feel I’ve spread myself too thin. I’m also focussing on interiors and jewellery designing, and I feel Ahana needs her mum to be around. Earlier, I was raring to go and do web shows and films. I was all for it, but now I’ve changed my mind.”

The actress says she is keen on taking up work that doesn’t include long shifts. She shares, “I am happy to do projects that won’t consume too much of my time. I enjoyed working in Made In Heaven. Today, the industry has changed so much – it has become too demanding. Earlier, a shift would be from 9 am to 6 pm or 10 am to 2 pm. I’m not used to 12-hour shifts, which also require two hours of travelling, two hours of makeup time and then the 12-hour shoot. I was left wondering where my personal life went. That was a wake-up call. My daughter is my priority right now, so the guilt seeps when I’m hardly home.”

Neelam is glad to have received so much love from the industry and the audience, especially at this point in her life.

She says, “Sometimes I pinch myself to believe that this is really happening. In the ’80s and ’90s, I did over 40 films. I was very successful. Now, to witness all the limelight once again is unbelievable, especially when it is coming back to me at this age. For an actor who started out at 16 and is now 55, to be relevant is surreal. I did this show, and things changed completely for me. It’s all thanks to Karan Johar. When I go to events now and see people recognizing me, it takes me back to my earlier life all over again.”

Neelam, who was seen in films like Love 86 (1986), Aag Hi Aag (1987), Hatya (1988), Parampara (1993) and Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999), admits that she was sceptical to make a comeback.

She says, “Back then, I left the industry because I felt my shelf life was over, and I didn’t like the films I was being offered. It was Karan (Johar) who approached me for the show. In this age of social media, I thought I’d be trolled if I returned to acting. I was conscious. When I left films, I was almost 30. That was the last time people saw me on screen, and making a comeback in my 50s was a little daunting. But Karan and my husband, Samir, helped me calm down and pushed me to go for it, and here I am.”