Rewind to the late ’80s and early ’90s—a time when Govinda (full name: Govind Arun Ahuja) was the undisputed “Hero No. 1” of Bollywood. His infectious dance moves, comic timing, and charismatic screen presence made him a household name. Collaborations with Pahlaj Nihalani resulted in memorable hits like Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen, and Ilzaam. Govinda was the life of the party, and the box office reveled in his magic.
But as the years rolled by, something changed. Govinda’s once-unstoppable career began to stutter. Enter superstitions—the silent saboteurs lurking in the shadows. According to Pahlaj Nihalani, Govinda’s downfall wasn’t merely a twist of fate; it was a consequence of growing superstitions that enveloped the actor like a spider’s web.
In an exclusive interview with Friday Talkies, Nihalani revealed, “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.”
Govinda’s career wasn’t just about superstitions; it was also a high-stakes game of cinematic roulette. During his prime, he juggled multiple film projects concurrently—sometimes as many as five or six at once. But this multitasking came at a cost. Delays became commonplace, frustrating co-stars, directors, and crew members alike. Nihalani reminisced, “We had a connection, but there was always 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 was. He was constantly late and would lie. He said he was doing it for the money, and I told him that this is a dangerous way of thinking. He did things that were against the profession.”
Beyond professional challenges, Govinda faced another hurdle: maintaining lasting relationships within the industry. Bollywood thrives on trust, and when that trust fractures, careers can crumble. Nihalani emphasized this point, saying, “A relationship between an actor and a producer will only last if there’s trust. He didn’t maintain relationships with anybody.”
SOURCE : ZEE
Yet, despite it all, Nihalani remains appreciative of Govinda’s talents. “Govinda is a great actor and a great human being,” he acknowledged. “He is emotional and a devoted family man. But his gullibility worked against him.”
Source:- news 18
Nihalani and Govinda’s last collaboration was the 2019 film Rangeela Raja. Perhaps it’s fitting that their journey together came full circle—a mix of laughter, superstitions, and missed cues. As the spotlight dims on this chapter, we remember Govinda—the man who danced his way into our hearts, even as he grappled with unseen forces.
And so, dear readers, let us raise our imaginary clapperboards to Govinda’s legacy—a tapestry woven with both stardust and shadows.
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