Govinda reveals why he was always late on sets, recalls how Dilip Kumar made him quit 25 movies: ‘Film waale mujhe maar dalte’

Govinda revealed that at one time, 49 of his films would be on the floor, and he would work 16 days at a stretch. He said he was an 'uneducated man' who was being exploited.

By: Entertainment Desk

Chennai | March 12, 2025 04:29 PM IST

3 min read

Govinda got insecure of co-star in debut film

Govinda got insecure of co-star Rohan Kapoor while working in his debut film. (Photo: Govinda/Instagram)

While many filmmakers have spoken at length about Govinda arriving fashionably late on set, this time the actor himself addressed his habit and revealed why he arrived late. In a recent interaction, Govinda admitted that he wouldn’t leave for the set until he found the rhythm of his character. He also revealed that at one time, 49 of his films would be on the floor, and he would work 16 days at a stretch. However, it was Dilip Kumar who pushed him to not overwork and to maintain a work-life balance.

Speaking to Mukesh Khanna on his YouTube channel, Govinda said, “I never used to arrive on time on set. I was a follower of Dilip Kumar sahab. I didn’t believe in late and all. I used to first set my rhythms right. Jab tak mere sur taal nahi set ho jaaye, main set pe nahi pahuchta tha (Till the time my rhythms wouldn’t be set, I would not go to the set).”

Sharing his interaction with Dilip Kumar and how he nudged him to take it easy, he said, “I would have 40-49 films on the floor. I would travel from one set to another. Main anpadh aadmi in film logon ke haath mein lag gaya, agar Dilip Kumar sahab nahi milte mujhe toh ye log mar dete mujhe (I, an uneducated person, got caught by these film people, and if I wouldn’t have met Dilip Kumar, these people would have killed me by making me overwork). He made me refuse like 25 films. I asked Dilip Kumar sahab, ‘I will have to return this money.’ He told me, “I will lend it to you but quit these films.'”

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Govinda recalled his financer telling him, “Are you going mad? Just now you overcame poverty.” Govinda shared that Dilip Kumar was the first person he met who truly cared for him, and that’s why he asked him to quit some films. “I would work 16 days at a stretch,” he said. Govinda recalled that sometimes he would be so tired that he would sleep for 1.5 days straight.

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