Designing jewellery runs in her blood, and Aamir Khan’s Afsana Pyar Ka leading lady always knew it’s something she would eventually turn to. “Now my daughter, Ahana, tells everybody in school that she is going to be a jewellery designer like me!” smiles gorgeous mommy Neelam Kothari Soni, in town on Friday to exhibit her new collection at HM Diwan Jewellers on Park Street. t2 caught up with Neelam... 

You are in Calcutta just before Dhanteras and Diwali. What can Calcuttans expect from you? 
Well, this time I tried to use a bit of yellow gold because generally I do white gold. I have experimented with semi-precious stones because it’s more fun and affordable too. Then, I have the colourful rubies, Columbian emeralds and a mix of everything….

What is the inspiration behind the collection? 
My inspiration is always nature. I do a lot of flowers and leaves... antique, old Victorian and Mughal jewellery inspire me. 

Do you have a loyal client base in Calcutta? 
Oh, I love my Calcutta clients! They understand good-quality stones and they want good-quality jewellery, be it coloured stones or diamonds or good workmanship. Touchwood, Calcutta is a fabulous market. Majority of people don’t have respect for coloured stones but the women here do understand.   

What are your personal preferences?  
I love colour! My preference, if you see my collection, is a lot of colours and combinations. I am an earring person, so I like wearing just nice, big earrings.
  
There are big names from the Bolly fraternity who swear by your designs...
(Smiles) Yeah, there are a couple of star wives and actresses but I won’t like to name them because they may not like it. 

As an entrepreneur, how do you utilise social media for your business? 
Social media definitely creates a lot of awareness and it translates into sales. It’s a good way of being in touch with people. I prefer Instagram to Twitter and Facebook because I feel people are more active on it because it’s easier and fun. 

Do you splurge on Dhanteras?  
My splurging, very honestly, is on clothes! We buy a bit of silver because gold is there (smiles). 

How do you celebrate Diwali? 
It’s just spending quality time with the family. Hopefully, my husband (actor Samir Soni) won’t be shooting that time, so he will be home. 

And how do you manage home and work? 
Good question! I go mad! (Laughs aloud) I have a li’l baby. She (Ahana) is four. So, this time in Calcutta is actually my break! But, honestly, it’s all in the mind. You just gotta keep calm. In the morning, I drop her to school, I go to work, I drop her back home and then I go back to work again. In the evening, I spend time with her. I also work out. So, I plan it well. I also have to look after my parents, my husband and my home.  

You have been an actress for a long time before becoming a jewellery designer. Do you miss acting at any point?
Well… I do miss it sometimes. I miss the limelight. I am not so much in the limelight as I used to be, but I guess because my husband and my friends are part of the film industry, I am always in touch. But would I get back to doing movies? Maybe when my daughter gets a li’l older. 

Till then, any production in collaboration with your husband?
His business is his and mine is mine! Otherwise, there would be clashes at home. Someone just said, why don’t you guys start a production house together? Samir is like, ‘Can’t. Not with her!’ (Laughs) 

Any plans to explore Calcutta during this weekend stay? 
I plan to do some shopping and check out a few stores on Sunday. I have heard about a couple of nice fashion designers, so I will go and check out their stuff. 

Who’s a Neelam Kothari woman? 
I have always thought of somebody like Maharani Gayatri Devi. She was all about royalty, elegance, never over-the-top, always understated… that is my idea of jewellery

Neelam’s must-haves
• Diamond hoops 
• Studs 
• A nice bracelet that would go with a watch
• A solid, interesting necklace that can be worn with Western as well as Indian outfits