What made Govinda go from being the ‘greatest star on screen’ to nowhere to be seen?

Film star Govinda in film CENSOR. Express archive photo

In an interview with Movie magazine, Amitabh Bachchan recalled, “I was shooting with Govinda for Hum when a group of young kids came up to me and one of the boys asked for an autograph. Govinda was standing next to me. There was a young, cute girl who have him a slap and said, ‘Woh nahi, yeh. Govinda ka autograph lo.’ (Not him. Take Govinda’s autograph.)”

In an era dominated by stars like Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Suniel Shetty, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar, Govinda carved his niche with a parallel industry of comic entertainers. Films like Shola Aur Shabnam, Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1, Saajan Chale Sasural, Dulhe Raja, and Haseena Maan Jaayegi became cult classics. His success continued into the 2000s, with hits like Hadh Kardi Aapne, Jodi No. 1, and Kyo Kii… Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta. However, by the mid-2000s, his career faced a decline, and his efforts to reclaim his stardom fell short.

Film star Govinda and Shilpa in film PARDESI BABU (Song: It happens only in India). Express archive photo

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Govinda’s growing fame was accompanied by a reputation for tardiness. Industry veterans like Anees Bazmee, Vashu Bhagnani, and David Dhawan have openly discussed his habit of arriving late on set or skipping shoots altogether.

In a chat with YouTuber Ronak Kotecha, producer Vashu Bhagnani shared an incident from the shoot of Hero No 1, where the actor kept about 75 crew members waiting in Switzerland for three long days. A worried Bhagnani made a call to Govinda. He said, “I called him and asked, ‘If you are not going to come, then we will come back.’ He got upset and said I am coming.” However, he added that after his arrival, Govinda was incredibly efficient, shooting about 70 percent of the song in just a day.

In his debut year, 1986, Govinda starred in about five movies. In the following year, he starred in six films. In 1988, Govinda starred in 10 films. As the years passed, the number of movies he starred in per year increased, the highest being fourteen in 1989.

Film star Govinda and Chunky Pandey on the set of film AANKHEIN. Express archive photo

In the ’90s, the actor did several films with director David Dhawan, most of which went on to become big hits. Their collaboration started with the 1993 film Aankhen, and just like that the actor-director duo went on to make 18 films together. Some of these films were produced by Pahlaj Nihalani, who believed after a point, working with Govinda became very risky.

In an interview with YouTube channel Friday Talkies, the producer said, “He gradually became more and more superstitious. He was always a little gullible. He would say that the chandelier is about to fall on set, and ask everyone to move aside, Then he would predict that Kader Khan was going to drown. He would instruct people to change their clothes based on his superstitions. He would refuse to do certain things on certain days. All of this, combined with his tardiness and gullibility, led to his downfall.”

The producer also shared that there was always an uncertainty working with him. “He would sign dozens of B-grade and C-grade movies without a second thought. He’d be working on five or six movies at the same time, nobody would know where he is. He’d be late constantly. He would lie. He said that he was doing it for money, and I told him that this is a dangerous way of thinking.”

Govinda’s failure to adapt to changing times further hindered his prospects. The rise of multiplexes in the 2000s saw audiences gravitating towards more nuanced cinema like Dil Chahta Hai. In contrast, Govinda continued with formulaic comedies such as Raja Bhaiya and Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen, which failed to resonate with viewers. As contemporaries reinvented themselves with fitness, diverse roles, and new genres, Govinda remained unchanged. While occasional hits like Bhagam Bhag and Partner brought fleeting success, they couldn’t revive his stardom.

As the years passed, the roles dried up; he hasn’t featured in any film post his 2019 project Rangeela Raja, which, too, was a massive flop. During the heights of his stardom, Govinda also turned down offers to appear in landmark films such as Taal and Devdas, because he didn’t want to do character roles.

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In an interview with Film Companion, Govinda said, “When I had turned down Devdas, I also refused Taal the same time. Both the characters went to become iconic hits but I was on top of my game at that point and I didn’t know if people would accept me in a character role.”

He added, “I thought to myself that I’d keep reminding myself that I was playing Chunnilal in the movie. And I would as multiple questins that could upset the makers. I like to get into the skin of the characters and understand the situations around them, they make my characters memorable. If nothing else, the audience at least would know I have played my part honestly. I would not want anyone to suspect my honesty towards my work.”

However, later in his career, he did take up side roles in films like Kill Dill and Happy Ending. While Kill Dill received mixed reviews, Happy Ending bagged Govinda Stardust Award for Best Supporting Actor. Yet, neither of these films helped him revive his lost stardom.

As his film career witnessed the lows, the actor ventured into politics. He became the Member of Parliament from the Indian National Congress. However, that too didn’t work in the actor’s favour.

Now, Govinda is set to make a comeback with three movies. In his appearance on The Great Indian Kapil Show, Govinda shared, “It’s been a long wait. After Aa Gaya Hero, I didn’t have the opportunity to make another movie. I have three films. I am starting with Bayen Haath Ka Khel. The second movie will be Pinky Darling, and the third movie will be Len Den: It’s All About Business.”

The actor turned 61 today.