Govinda (actor)

Left to right, David Dhawan, Govinda, and Chunky Pandey at a birthday party for Bobby Deol

After Govinda received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Vartak College, Vasai, his father suggested a career in films. Around this time, Govinda saw the film Disco Dancer; afterward, he practiced for hours and circulated a promotional VHS cassette. He was offered jobs in a fertilizer commercial and an Allwyn ad.

He was offered the role of Abhimanyu in the popular mythological serial Mahabharat (1988) during its casting and he even had auditioned for it. Still, soon he bagged his first Bollywood film. His first lead role was in Tan-Badan opposite Khushbu, directed by his uncle Anand. Govinda began shooting for his next film, Love 86, in June 1985.[18] His first release was Ilzaam (1986) which was a box office success, soon followed by another hit Love 86 that same year.

He went on to star in many films of various genres between 1987 and 1989 including the family dramas Khudgarz (1987), Dariya Dil (1988), Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1988) and action and drama films including Hatya (1988), Marte Dam Tak (1987), Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) and Jung Baaz (1989). Govinda worked with David Dhawan for the first time in the 1989 action film Taaqatwar and worked with Rajinikanth and Sridevi in Gair Kanooni that same year.

Anil Kapoor, Govinda and his wife at the 2014 IIFA

In 1990, Govinda starred in the cult classic Awaargi, with Anil Kapoor and Meenakshi Sheshadri. Swarg and Maha-Sangram co-starring Vinod Khanna, Aditya Pancholi and Madhuri Dixit were also successful. In 1991, he appeared alongside Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth in the hit film Hum. In 1992 he appeared in Zulm Ki Hukumat, an Indian version of The Godfather, and David Dhawan's Shola Aur Shabnam opposite actress Divya Bharti. His successful collaboration with Dhawan continued with Aankhen, the highest-grossing film of 1993. He and Dhawan would make several successful comedy films which included: Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Banarasi Babu (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Hero No. 1 (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) and Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999). The actor sang in some of his films: "Meri Pant Bhi Sexy" in Dulaara and "Gori Gori" in Shola Aur Shabnam. Dhawan and other directors frequently cast him with actresses such as Karishma Kapoor, Juhi Chawla and Raveena Tandon during this decade.

Govinda (left) with Akshay Kumar on the set of Bhagam Bhag

Govinda's career had a setback during the early 2000s after a series of commercially unsuccessful films. His only major hit film during the early 2000s was Jodi No. 1 (2001). His other films,[19] Hadh Kar Di Aapne,[20] Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta[21] and Ek Aur Ek Gyarah were moderately successful. He received nominations for the Filmfare Awards for Best Performance in a Comic Role for Jodi No. 1, Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta and Akhiyon Se Goli Maare (2002).

He turned down roles in Taal, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Devdas, all of which were highly successful.[22]

Govinda then joined the Indian National Congress. He won a seat in Parliament from Mumbai North by defeating five-time MP Ram Naik, a former Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, by over 50,000 votes in the 2004 general election.

The actor took a break from films during the period of 2003 to 2005. He had no new film releases in 2004 and 2005, although some of his delayed films were released during this time, (such as 2005's Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen and Ssukh— produced by Govinda and directed by his brother, Kirti Kumar and 2006's Sandwich) which were box office failures.

Govinda with Amrita Rao at a Life Partner party

Govinda made a comeback to films in late 2006 with the comedy Bhagam Bhag (directed by Priyadarshan), in which he appeared with Akshay Kumar and Lara Dutta. It was Govinda and Kumar's first film together.

His first release of 2007 was director Nikhil Advani's big-budget drama, Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love. The all-star cast also included Shannon Esra, Salman Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Anil Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Akshaye Khanna, Ayesha Takia, John Abraham, Vidya Balan, Sohail Khan and Isha Koppikar. Govinda played Raju, a taxi driver who helps the Caucasian Stephanie (Shannon Esra) who is frantically trying to find her lover. Raju eventually falls in love with her. Although the film was a box office disappointment, Govinda's performance was praised.[23]

His second release that year was a comedy directed by David Dhawan's Partner co-starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif and Lara Dutta. The film grossed ₹300,000,000 in India during its opening week, the second-highest domestic opening-week gross for an Indian film at that time.[24] Govinda won several awards for his performance in Partner including an IIFA Award for Best Comedian and a Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male. The previously made Jahan Jaaeyega Hamen Paaeyega was directed by his nephew Janmendra alias Dumpy, who was 17 years of age at that time. Jahan Jaaeyega Hamen Paaeyega released in 2007 and did poorly at the box office. The film also introduced two of Govinda's nephews, Krishna Abhishek and Vinay Anand. Govinda also appeared in the song "Deewangi Deewangi", from Om Shanti Om (2007) starring Shahrukh Khan.

In 2008, Govinda appeared in Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, directed by Bollywood choreographer Ganesh Acharya, which was a box office failure. This was followed by a TK Rajeev Kumar directed comedy, Chal Chala Chal. Govinda's performance was praised, and the film was successful. That year Salman Khan invited Dhawan and Govinda on his show, 10 Ka Dum, to celebrate the success of Partner.

The following year, he played a lawyer in the hit, Life Partner, and his performance was praised by the critics.[25] Govinda rejoined Dhawan and Vashu Bhagnani for Do Knot Disturb; despite good reviews from critics, it was unsuccessful at the box office.[26]

In 2010, Govinda appeared in Mani Ratnam's bilingual project, Raavan, with Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. He played a Forest Ministry employee who takes Vikram's character through the woods in search of a wanted criminal. Govinda denied reports that his character was a contemporary version of Hanuman,[27] and his performance in the minor role was praised.[28][29][30]

In 2011, he appeared in Jagmohan Mundhra's adult comedy, Naughty @ 40. Although the film received negative reviews, Govinda's performance was appreciated.[31] He also appeared in Rajnish Thakur's comedy, Loot, and voiced Bajrangi the monkey for Nikhil Advani's animated Delhi Safari.

In 2013, Govinda co-starred with Priyanka Chopra in K. C. Bokadia's box office failure, Deewana Main Deewana, which had been made about ten years earlier. The film, a Hindi remake of the Tamil film Priyamudan, was directed by Vincent Selva; Govinda's performance as a villain was praised.[32] He made his Bengali debut as a deputy inspector general of police in Dipak Sanyal's Samadhi, co-starring Gracy Singh and Sayali Bhagat, another box office failure.[33]

Govinda (second from right) with Johny Lever (extreme left) at ICFPA concert in 2013

In 2014, Govinda appeared in A.R. Murugadoss's Holiday, starring Akshay Kumar and Sonakshi Sinha.[34] This was the second collaboration of Govinda and Akshay Kumar after Bhagam Bhag.

Three years after his last starring role he starred in Yash Raj Film's Kill Dil, directed by Shaad Ali, with Ranveer Singh, Parineeti Chopra and Ali Zafar.[35] Govinda last played an antagonist in 2000's Shikari. In the film posters, he posed with a gun.[36][37][38][39] The trailer was released on 18 September 2014.[40][41][42][43][44] The trailer was appreciated by Amitabh Bachchan. [45][46][47][48] The film was released on 14 November 2014; although Kill Dil was not a commercial success, Govinda's performance was praised by critics.[49]

He played a superstar in Happy Ending with Saif Ali Khan and Ileana D'Cruz,[50] his first appearance with Khan. Its trailer was released on 9 October 2014.[51][52][53][54] The film was released on 21 November 2014; it was a box office failure, but Govinda's performance was praised.[55]

In 2015 Govinda appeared in Hey Bro, starring Nupur Sharma and Ganesh Acharya.[56]

In 2017, Govinda was seen as a cop in his home production Aa Gaya Hero, which was directed by Deepankar Senapati. The film also stars former Miss World Richa Sharma, Ashutosh Rana, Murali Sharma, Makarand Deshpande and Harish Kumar.[57] Aa Gaya Hero will be Govinda's third home production, after Hatya and Ssukh.[58] It was released on 17 March 2017. The film was not successful at the box office. He later starred alongside Varun Sharma in FryDay in 2018.[59] His last theatrical release Rangeela Raja in which he played a dual role in 2019, was panned by critics and audiences, and managed to recover only 1% of its budget.[60]

He appeared as Judge in Zee Bangla's Dance Bangla Dance in its Grand Finale in 2016 and 2018.

From 22 May he has appear again as Judge for all episodes in Zee Bangla's Dance Bangla Dance [61]

Govinda's film-star status could explain his inaccessibility to his constituents, but not his absence from parliament. During his tenure as the Member of Parliament, Govinda was usually absent when the Lok Sabha was in session and he was severely criticized for inactivity.[67] At the same time, he continued his film career while he was serving as an MP. Indeed, his career witnessed a comeback of sorts in 2007, after the release of Partner. He was pilloried in the press for the combination of continuing to act in films while being generally absent from parliament, and inaccessible to his constituents. On 20 January 2008, Govinda decided to leave politics and concentrate on his Bollywood acting career.[68]

Later Govinda said that he wasted his time by joining politics and it badly affected his films.[69]