‘Insecure’ Govinda was cast in Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhein as he ‘didn’t have work’, reveals Pahlaj Nihalani

The filmmaker revealed that although he didn’t like Govinda’s look in the photos, it was the actor’s talent that convinced him to cast him in Ilzaam. “I saw his pictures at first and I didn’t like it at all. I didn’t like his look. He came the next day with his dance video cassette. Break dance was very popular because of Michael Jackson. I asked him about his talents. Then, although I didn’t like the face much, I cast him only because of his work (dance, action, etc.). My story had a lot of action, hence I asked him for a day to get back,” he said.

“As an actor, there’s still no one as talented as him even today. Although he didn’t quite fit the role of an inspector, doctor, or advocate—considering his height and all—he became a star. And once someone becomes a star, you can make them do anything,” Pahlaj added.

Chunky Panday, Pahlaj Nihalani, David Dhavan and Govinda on the set of fAankhen. (Express archive photo by Peter Martis)

ALSO READ | Govinda destroyed his career by surrounding himself with pandits, David Dhawan poisoned his mind: Pahlaj Nihalani calls actor ‘nasamajh’

Pahlaj Nihalani also shared that he cast Govinda in Shola Aur Shabnam and Aankhen as the actor didn’t have work during that time. “When he didn’t have any work, I gave Shola Aur Shabnam to him. He was doing comedy for the first time. Then, when he didn’t have any work again, I gave him Aankhen. I changed his entire image. Both Shola Aur Shabnam and Aankhein were opposite. I was actually wanting to cast Dilip Kumar and Mehmood in Aankhen. I moulded him for that role. You will see Dilip Kumar and Mehmood at certain places if you watch the film today,” he revealed.

‘Govinda was always insecure’

When asked if the rumours about Govinda’s arrogance were true, Pahlaj Nihalani said, “Govinda was always insecure in everything. His father was a huge hero of Mehboob Khan. He was a producer also, had so many losses. Usne itna dard saaha uske baad, bahut saari cheezein unke haath se nikal gayi, aur struggle karna pada. All those things were built inside him while doing something.”

Pahlaj added that Govinda’s main goal was to earn a lot of money, after seeing his father Arun Kumar Ahuja’s struggles. “Usko yeh tha ki paise kisi tarah se ajaayen. He had many responsibilities of his brothers and sisters as well, paison mein uljha rehta tha. He wanted to do everything. Uska attitude aisa hogaya tha. Jab kaam aur pressure bahut tha, he developed a habit of that attitude. Vehmi bhi ho gaya. Yeh saari cheezein usko khaati rahi. Jab nahi chalta aadmi toh sab usko damage karta hai. Otherwise, you won’t find an actor like Govinda even after searching,” he concluded.