Govinda’s fans in the 90s were not as big as those of Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan. Govinda had given more hit films in a year than many actors were capable of giving in their career. At one time, he signed 75 films. I continued to work on set for two weeks without interruption. Because of this, he fell ill, but given his passion for work, it seemed that now no one could stop him.
Today, Govinda’s name replaces Shahrukh and Salman, but as the 21st decade came, Govinda’s films started failing continuously. Many controversies had broken out against him. There came a time when the films were no longer available. Films that were ready could not make it to the cinema. After all, what is the real reason for Govinda’s downfall?
Born on December 21, 1963, Govinda turns 61 today. Today, on his birthday, let us know some special things about him…
Legacy actor, I still had to work hard
Govinda’s father Arun Kumar Ahuja was a famous artist of his time. He had worked in 30 to 40 films. While Govinda’s mother Nirmala Devi was a classical singer who sang songs for films. Although he has a film background, Govinda has carved out a distinct identity for himself in the industry after many struggles. He made his acting debut with the film “Love 86”. This film was a super hit and made Govinda a star overnight.
Dilip Kumar advised to quit 25 films
After the first film, Govinda started getting offers for many films. At 21, he signed 75 films. He once didn’t sleep for 16 days because he worked on set for two weeks straight. Because of this, he would get sick on set and because of his continuous work, he often had to go to the hospital. In a podcast interview with Manish Paul, Govinda had said: Dilip Kumar Sahab advised me to quit 25 films. He said it is important to stay healthy.
14 films released in one year
Govinda has directed over 165 films in his career. Govinda’s star was very high in the 80s and 90s. At that time, every film he appeared in turned out to be a blockbuster at the box office. There was a phase in his career where 14 of his films were released consecutively in a year. It is said that during this period, Govinda used to pit the three Khans against each other.
Had left the film for Salman Khan
When Govinda’s career was at its peak, he left the film ‘Judwaa’ for Salman Khan. Govinda himself had revealed this in an interview. Govinda had said, “At that time, my career was at its peak. During the days when the shooting of ‘Judwaa’ was going on, around 2 or 3 p.m. in the evening, I received a call from Salman.
He said Chi Chi Bhaiya, how many more strokes will you give? I asked him why this happened? He said, “Please leave the film ‘Judwaa’ which you are currently shooting and give it to me. In addition to the film, you will also need to provide its director and producer. Govinda gave this film to Salman Khan, but there was a phase in his career where his films started failing continuously. Govinda began to sense that a conspiracy was being hatched against him.
Sunil contacted Shetty to ask for work
As Govinda returned to films after becoming disillusioned with politics, Sunil approached Shetty to ask for work. In fact, Sunil Shetty was producing the film ‘Bhagambhaag’. He himself was going to play the character of “Babla” in this film. When Govinda came to know that Sunil Shetty was producing the film, he went to Sunil Shetty and asked him to give him work in this film. Because they desperately need work. Sunil Shetty has given his role as Govinda in Yaari Dosti. Akshay Kumar and Govinda were first seen in this film.
Salman paid off his debt by working at Partner
Salman Khan’s film ‘Partner’ was produced by his brother Sohail Khan along with Parag Sanghvi. When Govinda’s career was at its peak, he left the film ‘Judwaa’ for Salman Khan. When Govinda’s downfall came, Salman asked his brother Sohail to choose Govinda as his ‘partner’.
However, at that time, the relationship between Govinda and the film’s director David Dhawan was not good. After ‘Partner’, Salman and Govinda’s relationship deteriorated. In fact, Govinda wanted Salman to cast his daughter Tina Ahuja in the film ‘Dabangg’, but instead of casting Tina in the film, Salman cast Sonakshi Sinha. From there, Govinda and Salman Khan’s relationship started to deteriorate.
During the filming of the film Partner, the relationship between Govinda and the film’s director David Dhawan was not good.
Advice spoiled David and Govinda’s relationship
Govinda has made 17 films with David Dhawan. Most of these films were hits. So what happened to make David Dhawan distance himself from Govinda? In fact, during the shooting of the film ‘Ek Aur Ek Gyarah’, Govinda did not like a scene. Govinda spoke to David Dhawan about this and expressed his view that if certain changes are made to this scene, the scene can become more effective.
David Dhawan didn’t like what Govinda said and he refused to make any changes. Then Sanjay Dutt also came there. When Sanjay Dutt came to know about the affair between Govinda and David, he also intervened and took David Dhawan’s side and justified him. This thing touched Govinda’s heart and he also got angry with Sanjay Dutt. David Dhawan did not like this action of Govinda and he distanced himself from Govinda.
David Dhawan said to tell Govinda to play small roles
After leaving politics, Govinda was looking to re-establish himself in Bollywood. He tried several times to meet David Dhawan, but could not meet David Dhawan. Then he sent his secretary to David. What David said about Govinda touched his heart.
Now all the complaints are gone from David
Govinda and David Dhawan met last year at producer Ramesh Taurani’s Diwali party and resolved all their grievances. This year, they both ended up at Ramesh Taurani’s Diwali party. It was assumed that they had reconciled. When Govinda was admitted to the hospital after being shot, David Dhawan had come to the hospital with his wife.
Amrish Puri slapped him for arriving late
It is believed that often arriving late to the shoot also led to Govinda’s downfall. According to media reports, the shooting of the film ‘Farz Ki Jung’ was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. and Govinda arrived on the set at 6 p.m. Amrish Puri got angry when the actor was late by 9 hours. After that, there were many debates between Govinda and him. Within a short time, the situation escalated so much that Amrish Puri slapped Govinda hard. After this incident, Govinda never worked with Amrish Puri again.
Other stars also began to hesitate about working together
Stars like Amitan Bachchan and Rajnikanth are known for arriving on time. Govinda also kept Amitan Bachchan and Rajnikanth waiting during the shooting of the film ‘Hum’. It was for this reason that the making of the film was delayed and the budget of the film increased. Due to this, no star wanted to work with Govinda. When Govinda’s downfall began, these producers also started keeping a distance from him, unhappy with Govinda’s late arrival.
Rs 100 crores at stake, film not released in theaters
Govinda was last seen in the film ‘Rangeela Raja’ in 2019. Apart from this, many other films have been made, which have not released till date. Govinda had said in an interview, “There are people who don’t want my films to release. My film “Sandvij” was not released in theaters. While it was Balasaheb Thackeray’s film.
Among my friends, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan praised the film and said that this film deserves to be a super hit, why didn’t it release? I remained silent. I didn’t react to that. Over the last 10 to 15 years, I’ve had films made that haven’t been released. In which Rs 100 crores are blocked. I don’t understand why my films don’t have the right platform.
Govinda with his daughter Narmada, son Yashvardhan and wife Sunita.
Regret of not being able to make a career for the girl
If Govinda’s daughter Tina Ahuja had made her debut with Salman Khan’s film ‘Dabangg’, her Bollywood career would have been different. No other big Bollywood production house has launched Tina. She made her debut with Punjabi singer-actor Gippy Grewal in 2015 with the film ‘Second Hand Husband’, but the film did not work. After that, she also appeared in some music videos, but she did not pursue an acting career. Now, Tina has distanced herself from acting. Govinda regrets that his daughter’s acting career couldn’t take off.
Now Govinda’s son Yashvardhan Ahuja will make his debut
Govinda’s son Yashvardhan Ahuja will make his debut with National Film Award-winning director Sai Ranjan’s film. Madhu Mantena, Allu Aravind and SKN Films will jointly produce this film. The title of the film is yet to be decided, it is said to be a romantic love story.
______________________________________________________________________________
The Spotboys take care of the actors-directors on the set: they work 20 hours, but do not receive fees for months
From managing the actors, directors, crew members to their food and drinks on the set, the spotboy takes full responsibility. It’s also called Spot Dada.