Dance is my fear factor but I dared to do that too: Govind Padmasoorya

Actor and television anchor Govind Padmasoorya aka GP has a serious look on his face and people used to think he is a don’t-mess-with-me personality. It is after his cool-as-a-cucumber avatar as the host of a dance reality show on television that the audience discovered the fun person that he is. GP, who will next be seen sharing the screen space with Mammootty and Mamta Mohandas in Varsham, speaks to us about getting into the entertainment industry; his fear of dancing; future projects and more.
Excerpts:
How did you get into films?
I am from Pattambi and went to college in Bangalore and Mumbai. It’s after associating with a short film project in college that I found my true calling. I started taking documentaries about various subjects and got attached to media. Later, I also got an offer to act in a music album, and its visuals became popular. That’s how I got the offer for my first film, Adayalangal, and that was very challenging. It became a dream debut with the film scaling heights. However, due to my MBA, a gap came in between and I wasn’t getting enough time to pursue films alongside. People thought I was not available anymore. Even after completing the course, no one knew I am done with it. Luckily, I got the film Ettekal Second, but my film career failed to take off from there. However, my entry into television became a turning point in my life.
You started your career as an actor and but became popular after your television stint. Do you enjoy your new role as an anchor?
It is after my appearance in Rimi Tomy’s show, Onnum Onnum Moonnu, that D 4 Dance team felt that I would be apt for their programme. Though I have got many anchoring opportunities before, I was reluctant to take them up, but the team’s approach and show’s format gave me the confidence.
Though people used to recognise me in the past too, they would have a lingering doubt whether it’s me (laughs). However, D 4 Dance changed it all! Now they come up to me without any inhibitions and freely interact with me. Even at functions or random travels, I feel that warmth. My face and the name GP has got registered through this programme. In one of the episodes, the team announced that I have a girlfriend in Dubai who is head over heels in love with me and that she would be visiting me during one of the episodes! Yamuna, the producer of the show, is a daredevil, and I was slightly tensed too.
Finally, I came to know that the girl was 3-year-old Vaishnavi, who starts crying after D 4 Dance episode! After that episode, there were numerous posts on our online pages about other kids who love me. The likes on my Facebook page also soared from thousands to lakhs after joining the show. Now, I get around 1000 messages a day, which is quite overwhelming.
You have danced in some of the episodes of the show. Do you love dancing?
Dance has been my fear factor, but in some of the episodes, I dared to do that too. I am trained in music and have even done a concert for the Onam episode with accompaniments, but dancing on was unforgettable. My first dance performance on the show was an impromptu one and the next was to the song Dangerous by Michael Jackson. Still, many call me Dangerous GP on the show!
Your equation with co-anchor Jewel is much talked about…
She is a confident anchor who is quite experienced in terms of managing a crowd as she has done many live events. Though it is her first TV show, she is equipped with the right words and actions and is at ease in that space. The team wanted an actor as the male anchor, who can perform and entertain, while Jewel does her part. Our spaces are different and clear, so it is easy working with her.
What next?
Many film offers are coming my way, but I want to make sure I associate myself with the right projects. My next film is Varsham, directed by Ranjith Sankar.