Irreplaceable Govinda looking for his place in Bollywood

Actor speaks up about his relationship with director David Dhawan and his changing career trajectory.


News Desk September 12, 2014



There have always been two kinds of Govinda fans in Pakistan: ones that love him and ones that love to hate him.


Govinda not only had a huge impact on Bollywood during the 1990s had a tremendous amount of fan following across the border. So much so that all of his films ensured that local audiences kept on visiting video cassette stores to rent Indian movies.

Most of his superhit films, such as Bade Miyan Chotay Miyan, Hero No. 1, Coolie No. 1 and Haseena Maan Jaayegi to name a few, were in collaboration with good friend and renowned comedy film director David Dhawan. Despite their camaraderie during the 1990s, the two are no longer on speaking terms, which also says loads about Govinda’s sinking career.

“David and I haven’t spoken in the last five years. But I really don’t wish to elaborate on this.” Govinda told The Times of India (TOI) in an interview.



David Dhawan was also the man behind Govinda’s last film to have an impact at the box office — Partner which was released almost seven years ago in 2007. Ever since the release of Partner the two have collaborated only on one film, the box office flop of 2009, Do Knot Disturb.

Dhawan’s younger son Varun Dhawan is being heralded as the next Govinda due to his impeccable comic timing but Govinda feels he is irreplaceable, “I am happy for him. Ditto for Ranveer Singh and Kapil Sharma, who also have a flair for comedy. But can you show me one newcomer, whom you can assert, will go on to do 165 films like Govinda?”



Despite delivering hits such as Partner and giving riveting performances in films such Raavan, Govinda has struggled to stay relevant to the changing trends of Bollywood while many of his contemporaries continue to stay neck-to-neck with the new crop of actors.

The star of the No. 1 film series, Govinda further rubbished claims that he has an unprofessional attitude towards filmmakers which has led to ouster from Anurag Basu’s upcoming film, Jagga Jasoos.

“Rubbish! I was always on time, even when I was unwell. I even took an IV drip to the sets. Why does my reputation precede me? I am not living in the ‘90s. I’m putting my best foot forward, trying to be ethical and professional. Yet, somebody out there is trying to sabotage my career,” exclaimed Govinda.



The actor also stated that he did not have any reservation playing a father or “even a grandfather” on screen provided that the role is substantial whilst refuting longstanding  rumours that he would be playing Alia Bhatt’s father in Shaandaar or Ranbir Kapoor’s father in Jagga Jasoos.

Having also branched out into film production with the action comedy film Abhinay Chakra, the actor spoke of the opportunity as a chance to “revive the Govinda brand.”

Govinda’s daughter, Narmmadaa Ahuja is also gearing up for her Bollywood debut. She was previously supposed to make her debut opposite Salman Khan in the 2010 blockbuster Dabangg but Sonakshi Sinha was cast instead.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13th, 2014.

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