Neelam Kapoor

Name: Neelam Kapoor
First Appeared: 3rd March 1997
Last Appeared: 23rd July 1998
Played by: Jamila Massey

Neelam Kapoor, the matriarch with a knack for meddling, made quite an entrance in Walford. She and her husband had built a profitable clothing business before leaving it in the hands of their son, Sanjay, and emigrating to India. Unfortunately, Sanjay’s poor business decisions led to bankruptcy, a fact he hid from his parents. In February 1997, following her husband’s death, Neelam returned to Walford with Sanjay, much to the horror of his wife, Gita.

Gita’s tumultuous relationship with Neelam was legendary. Despite her son’s previous failures, Neelam was surprisingly understanding about the floundered business. She pitched in with the Kapoors’ market stall and eventually bought the First Til Last grocery store, insisting it be a family-run operation. This led to the firing of Carol Jackson, sparking further tensions. Neelam’s domineering ways continued to irk Gita, especially as she tried to dictate the upbringing of her granddaughter, Sharmilla, and accused Gita of being a bad wife.

By October 1997, Gita had reached her limit and decided to take a holiday with her sister, but not before confronting Neelam about Sanjay’s adultery. Neelam, of course, was quick to believe her son’s denials. When Gita went missing in January 1998, suspicion fell on Sanjay. It turned out Gita had run away after becoming pregnant by another man. Upon being persuaded to return to Walford with her new baby, Neelam was livid. She couldn’t condone Sanjay’s acceptance of another man’s child and urged him to divorce Gita and fight for custody of Sharmilla.

Sanjay’s refusal to divorce Gita led to Neelam selling her shop and leaving Walford in July 1998, disowning her son on her way out.