Entertainment News Desk – Govinda ruled Bollywood for more than a decade. He was once considered synonymous with comedy in Hindi cinema. However, now he is moving towards the end of his career. He has not been seen in any film for the last four years. His last film was ‘Rangeela Raja’ released in 2019. However, when he was at the peak of his career, he used to have 49 films in his hands simultaneously. It is true that Govinda’s parents were active in the world of entertainment for a long time. But a few years before Govinda’s birth, the family had reached the brink of financial crisis. Govinda was born on 21 December 1963. His father Arun Ahuja was a struggling actor in the 1940s. Mother Nirmala Devi was both a classical singer and actress. The Ahuja family was originally Punjabi, but had long ago settled in Maharashtra.
Govinda’s family did not buy an umbrella even in the rain
Before Govinda was born, Arun Ahuja had started working as a producer, but till then the only film made with his money was a flop. Unable to bear the loss, Govinda’s father’s health started deteriorating. When economic conditions deteriorated, the Ahuja family, who lived in a bungalow on Mumbai’s posh Carter Road, had to shift to Virar (then an underdeveloped area on the outskirts of the city). Govinda was born there. Govinda, the youngest of six children, was fondly called Chichi in the family. In Punjabi the little finger is called chichi. The Ahuja family spoke Punjabi at home. Govinda grew up listening to films. Since their father was unable to work, mother Nirmala Devi raised the children during those difficult times. Govinda had told in an interview that his family did not buy an umbrella even in the rain. He recalls, “We thought the rains would last only for four months, so why waste money?”
Had to face insult at the ration shop. Govinda’s childhood was spent in extreme poverty. The family was deeply in debt. Govinda has still not forgotten the humiliation of not being able to pay the bill. He recalls, “The tradesman used to keep me standing for hours because he knew I would borrow goods. Once I refused to go to the shop. My mother started crying and I also started crying with her.” Govinda did graduation in commerce, but did not get a job. The post of manager was vacant in Taj Mahal Hotel. But Govinda did not get a chance because his English was not good. His father suggested him to go watch a movie. In those days, Govinda watched the film Saturday Night Fever and became fond of dancing. He used to practice for hours.
Later one of his promos was telecast on VHS cassette. Soon he came across an advertisement for a fertilizer. After some time he appeared in the advertisement of Allwyn (electronics company). In the 1980s, he was trying to establish himself in the film world. Govinda first got roles as a side actor. He was seen sharing the screen with big stars including Rajesh Khanna, Dilip Kumar and Dharmendra in popular films like Swarg, Ilzaam, Khudgarj, Jeete Hain Shaan Se. He got his first lead role in ‘Love 86’. He started shooting for his film Love 86 in June 1985. By mid-July he had signed on for 40 more projects. However, his first two films were not financially successful. Then he thought of trying his hand in television also. He auditioned for the role of Abhimanyu in the TV cult show Mahabharata and was selected. But even before appearing in Mahabharata, his film Tan-Badan became a hit and then Shola and Shabnam became hits, which opened more doors for him. as well as
MP Govinda
Govinda is also a former MP (2004-09). As a Congress leader, he won the Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North in 2004. Govinda had defeated BJP’s Ram Naik from this seat. However, he is no longer active in politics. In 2016, when the media asked him when he was making a comeback into politics, his answer was – It took me 9-10 years to come out of politics and forget it. I request you not to ask this.
