Actor Govinda is not in the best of phases of his career. Partner which released in 2007 did give his sagging career a boost but that was quite temporary. Subsequently, a bad choice of films, coupled with his own eccentricities, has prevented him from moving ahead. There is no doubting his talent just as there is no doubting his ability to stall and delay shootings.
The most recent incident of this took place on the sets of Mani Ratnam’s Raavan. It seemed that the actor and director were on very good terms and work was proceeding exactly as it should. In fact, Govinda who is notorious for being late on the sets or doing a disappearing act, was at his best behaviour and Mani could not have been happier with him. But the actor could not keep up the good behaviour for too long and one fine day, during the Ooty schedule, he staged his famous disappearing act. The set was put up and everybody was waiting for the actor to appear but he kept everybody waiting for three days and failed to turn up. Being a stickler for discipline, Mani is not exactly pleased with Govinda. It seems that actor is now trying to make up for his errant behaviour by working very hard. But one is not sure if Mani is melting. Govinda is yet to complete his dubbing for the movie. Hopefully, Mani will not take it out on him at the editing table. It would be sad for Govinda the actor.
At the ongoing IIFA awards in Macau, David Dhawan’s Do Knot Disturb was unveiled with a flourish. The film stars Govinda, Lara Dutta, Sushmita Sen and Riteish Deshmukh.
Image: David Dhawan, Govinda, Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Reteish Deshmukh
Govinda had agreed to do Priyadarshan’s assistant Rajiv Kumar’s comedy Chal Chala Chal only for one reason. The actor was indebted to Priyan for giving him his comeback film, Bhagam Bhag. But little did Govinda know that the outcome of his goodwill gesture would be disastrous.
A week after the resounding flop of Chal Chala Chal, a regretful Govinda says, “After Bhagam Bhag I was told that I’d do a solo lead with Priyan. That’s the impression Priyan gave my wife, Sunita. Although it was his assistant who was directing Chal Chala Chal, Priyan assured Sunita that he’d be around during the making of the film to ensure that all goes well. My wife had great faith in Priyan and I went by her faith and agreed to do Chal Chala Chal. But, I was upset when I saw the final product. Just like Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, there was a world of difference between what was narrated to me and what was shot. I had debts to pay off. Little did I know that I would have new debts to pay off after Chal Chala Chal. Now I’ll never do such a film.”
“In Mumbai, you’ll always find such people. During the film’s making they kept saying ‘Bus karo bus karo’ and made a film that revolved around a bus! When I complained to Priyan, he reprimanded me and told me to just be an actor on the sets. I think Priyan doesn’t like any actor’s contribution,” says Govinda.
Govinda says Priyadarshan ceased all communication with him after a point. He says, “When I tried to express my misgivings over the film, Priyan kept assuring me from Chennai that they were going through the rushes and the film was looking fantastic. They cheated me and then accused me of interference. I know there are some powerful people in the industry who don’t want me to do well.”
Responding to Govinda’s accusations, Priyadarshan says, “I had nothing to do with Chal Chala Chal. My former assistant Rajiv made the film. During the making Rajiv was disheartened because he’d endlessly wait for Govinda. Eventually, Rajiv lost interest and fell ill after which he refused to reshoot when things didn’t look right. As for me, how could I be looking out for someone else’s film when my hands are so full? When I saw the final version of Chal Chala Chal, I knew what the outcome would be.”
After this bitter experience, Govinda says that now he will only do films if he has a strong role. “In the past six months, I have only signed Mani Ratnam’s film.” 
