Govinda (actor)

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Govinda
Govinda still11.jpg
Govinda at Katrina Kaif's birthday
Member of Parliament
for Mumbai North, India
In office
3 June 2004 – 2009
Constituency Mumbai North
Personal details
Born (1963-12-21) 21 December 1963 (age 49)
Virar, Maharashtra, India
Political party Indian National Congress
Profession Actor, Television presenter, Politician
Religion Hindu
Years active 1986–present
As of 19 February, 2008
Source: Lok Sabha

Govinda (born Govind Arun Ahuja, 21 December 1963) is an Indian actor and a former politician. Govinda has received five Filmfare Award nominations and four Zee Cine Award, winning two Filmfare Awards including a Special Jury Award.

Making his debut in Ilzaam in 1986, he has appeared in over 120 Hindi films of the Bollywood industry. His contribution to acting along with his much-publicized personal dancing skills, made him a global figure in popular culture from the late 1980s through the early 2000s among film viewers. In June 1999, Govinda was voted as the tenth greatest star of stage or screen of the last thousand years by BBC News Online users.[1] He has collaborated with director and friend David Dhawan in 17 movies

His earlier films in the 1980s were in a variety of genres such as family drama, action and romantic. In the 1990s he gained recognition as a comedy actor playing a mischievous young NCC cadet in the romantic movie Shola Aur Shabnam (1992) opposite the late Divya Bharti. He played leading roles in several commercially successful comedy films in the 1990s such as Aankhen(1993), Raja Babu(1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Hero No. 1 (1997) and Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999). For Coolie No. 1(1995), he acquired him a Filmfare Award for Best Actor nomination. For Haseena Maan Jayegi he earned the Filmfare Best Comedian Award. He has successfully played dual roles in movies like Jaan Se Pyaara (1992), Aankhen (1993), Hathkadi (1995) and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998).[2]

After a period of box office flops in the 2000s, his recent commercial successes have been Bhagam Bhag (2006) and Partner (2007) and Life Partner (2010).

In addition to film acting, he is a member of the Indian National Congress Party. He was elected as the seventh Member of Parliament for the Mumbai North Constituency of Maharashtra, India in the 14th Lok Sabha elections in 2004,[3] after defeating Ram Naik of the Bharatiya Janata Party. In the 2009 General Elections, he opted out of politics to concentrate more on films. However he continues to have political favor from Congress Party. His constituency was succeeded by Sanjay Nirupam (also from Congress).

Contents

Early life [edit]

Govinda’s father, Arun Ahuja, was born in pre-partition Gujranwala, Punjab, British India (in present-day Pakistan) on 26 January 1917.[4] He studied in an engineering college at Lahore. Veteran producer Mehboob Khan brought him to Mumbai in 1937 and cast him in Ek Hi Raasta as the leading man. Arun was notable for acting in Mehboob Khan's Aurat (1940). Govinda's mother, Nazeem who was Muslim had converted to Hinduism and adopted the name Nirmala Devi.[5] Arun and Nirmala first met during the making of the film Savera, in which they were cast opposite each other. They married in 1941.[6]

The only film Ahuja ever produced was a flop. Unable to bear the loss, his health failed. The family, living in a bungalow on Mumbai's upmarket Carter Road, later moved to Virar — a northern Mumbai suburb, where Govinda was born. The youngest of six children, his pet name Chi Chi means little finger in Punjabi,[7] the language they speak at home. Since his father was unable to work, Nirmala Devi brought up the children through hard times in Mumbai.

Acting career [edit]

Early career [edit]

He studied at Annasaheb Vartak College in Vasai, Maharashtra. He graduated in commerce.His father suggested films as he himself was associated with films. Around this time, Govinda saw the film Disco Dancer and dance became his obsession. He practiced for hours and circulated a promo of himself on a VHS cassette. Soon a fertilizer commercial came his way, followed by an Allwyn ad, finally his very first leading role in Tan-Badan, which was to be directed by his uncle Anand. He started shooting for his next film Love 86 in June 1985. By mid-July, he had signed 40 others.[8][9]

His first released film was Ilzaam (1986), a box office success and the fifth biggest hit of 1986. The film established him as a dancing star. He acted in a string of movies after that with mixed success. Most of the films he appeared in during the 1980s were in the action, romance or family drama genres. He was often paired opposite actress Neelam and together they appeared in several hit films such as Love 86 (1986), Khudgarz (1987) and his brother Kirti Kumar's directorial, Hatya (1988). He had success with family drama films such as Dariya Dil (1988), Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) and Hum (1991) as well as action films such as Marte Dam Tak (1987) and Jung Baaz (1989). He worked with David Dhawan for the first time in the 1989 action film Taaqatwar. He also worked with Rajnikant and Sridevi in the hit film that year titled, Ghair Khanooni.

1990s [edit]

Govinda appeared in several successful films in the 1990s and he was one of biggest superstars of the era. In 1992, he was seen in the critically acclaimed film, Zulm Ki Hukumat, an Indian remake of The Godfather where his performance was appreciated. He then formed a successful collaboration with David Dhawan and went onto act in 17 movies directed by him most of which were comedy films. The most successful films made by their collaboration include, Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), He actually sang for himself in some of his movies like, "Meri Pant Bhi Sexy" from Dulaara and "Gori Gori" from Shola Aur Shabnam. Aankhen (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998) and Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999). Aankhen became the highest grossing film of the year and one of biggest all-time blockbusters ever. Dhawan and other directors frequently cast him opposite actresses such as Karishma Kapoor, Juhi Chawla and Raveena Tandon during the 1990s.

2000s [edit]

" Govinda is one of his kind, he is the best at comedy. There can be no replacement for him."

— David Dhawan in an interview with NDTV.[10]

His box office graph suffered a setback in the early 2000s following a series of commercially unsuccessful films. He played the role of a villain for the first time in his career in Shikari (2000). Although the movie was not a commercial success, Govinda's convincing portrayal of a sociopath murderer was critically acclaimed.[11] He turned down roles in Taal, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Devdas which went on to become successful films.[12] His acting career was further affected when he contested and won the seat for Member of Parliament from Mumbai North in the 2004 parliamentary elections. He did not have any new film releases in 2004 and 2005 although some of his delayed films such as Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen (2005) and his home production Ssukh (2005) were released and turned out to be box office disasters.

Govinda made a comeback to films in late 2006 with the comedy film, Bhagam Bhag, alongside Akshay Kumar which became a hit. His first release of 2007 was the huge multi-starrer Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love. Although a box office disappointment, Govinda was praised for his performance.[13]

His second release of 2007 was the David Dhawan directed comedy, Partner, which co-starred Salman Khan. The film grossed Rs.300 Million in India on its opening week, the second highest domestic opening week gross for an Indian film until then.[14] In 2008, he appeared in the film, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai. The same year, Salman Khan invited David Dhawan and Govinda on his show 10 Ka Dum to celebrate the success of their film Partner. In 2009, he had a successful release titled Life Partner. Govinda got back to the successful trio of David Dhawan, Vashu Bhagnani and himself with the film, Do Knot Disturb, which flopped at the box office.[15]

2010s [edit]

In 2010, Govinda was seen in Mani Ratnam's bilingual project, Raavan, along with Vikram, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai. Govinda played a forest department employee who takes Vikram's character through the forests in search of a wanted criminal. While it was earlier speculated that his character was a contemporary version of Hanuman, Govinda refuted the claim.[16] Despite having a small role in the film, Govinda was appreciated for his performance.[17][18][19]

Political career [edit]

In 2004, Govinda joined the Congress party, and was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower House of Parliament from Mumbai with a thumping majority of beating the five time sitting MP by over 50000 votes.[20] In a run up to the polls, Govinda had announced that his agenda will be prawaas (transportation), swasthya (health) and gyaan (education).

During the first ten months of his tenure as a Member of Parliament (MP), Govinda did not spend any money from his MP Local Area Development Fund of Rs.20 million. He started utilizing his fund only when newspaper reports brought this to notice. According to the Thane district collectorate sources, Govinda committed Rs7 to construct anganwadi, samaj mandirs and resolve drinking water problem of Vasai and Virar residents. However, work on these projects did not begin (as of August 2005), because administrative approval was being awaited. Govinda also took credit for 80% of the quadrupling of Borivali-Virar section on Western Railway (India).

Criticism [edit]

As an MP, Govinda has been criticized for being inaccessible to the people of his constituency, especially during the terrible rains (beginning 26 July 2005) that left around 450 dead in Mumbai. After the rains, while speaking to a TV channel, Govinda claimed that he had got Rs150 million sanctioned for his flood-hit constituency after speaking to Sonia Gandhi. However, his own party colleagues contested the claim. Mohan Adhikari, the president of Palghar Congress Unit went on record saying that "not a single paisa" had been received.

During his tenure as an MP, Govinda embarrassed his party, Congress, by coming out in open to support actor Shakti Kapoor, who had been caught in a sting operation, asking for sexual favours from a television reporter posing as a Bollywood aspirant.[21] He also opposed the ban on dance bars, which embarrassed the Indian National Congress-Nationalist Congress Party led Democratic Front Government, which had proposed the ban.

During his tenure as the Member of Parliament, he was criticized for never playing any active role. He was mostly absent while the house was in session. He also did not participate in any debates or raise any queries regarding his constituency.[22]

On 20 January 2008, he decided to quit politics to concentrate on his acting career in Bollywood.[23]

Personal life [edit]

Govinda's father Arun Ahuja was an actor in the 1940s and his mother Nirmala Ahuja was also an actress as well as a singer. His brother, Kirti Kumar is an actor, producer and director. His sister, Kaamini Khanna is a writer, music director, singer, anchor and founder of 'Beauty with Astrology'. Govinda has six nephews and two nieces in the entertainment industry: actors Vinay Anand, Krushna Abhishek, Aryan, Arjun Singh, Ragini Khanna, Amit Khanna, Aarti Singh and director Janmendra Kumar Ahuja. Govinda's brother-in-law, Devendra Sharma has also acted in a few Hindi films.[24][25]

Govinda's maternal uncle Anand Singh, who was assistant to director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, launched him in his film, Tan Badan. Anand's wife's sister Sunita fell in love with Govinda during the 'Mahurat' of Tan Badan. They got married on 11 March 1987. Their marriage was a closely guarded secret for four years.[26] The couple have two children, Narmada and Yashvardhan.

Govinda narrowly escaped death on 5 January 1994 while traveling to a studio for the shooting of Khuddar (1994). The actor's car collided with another car, resulting in him sustaining injuries to his head. Though bleeding profusely, Govinda did not cancel the shooting. After visiting a doctor, he shot for the film till midnight.[27]

Awards [edit]

Filmfare awards [edit]

Won

Nominations

Other awards [edit]

Won

Filmography [edit]

Actor [edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1986 Ilzaam Ajay Sharma/Vijay Debut
Duty Dev Pratap Sharma
Tan-Badan Ravi Pratap
Love 86 Vikram Doshi
Sadaa Suhagan Ravi
1987 Mera Lahoo Govinda Singh
Marte Dam Tak Jai
Khudgarz Kumar Saxena
Dadagiri Suraj
Pyaar Karke Dekho Ravi Kumar
Sindoor Ravi
1988 Jeete Hain Shaan Se Iqbal Ali
Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga Deepak Malhotra
Hatya Sagar
Halaal Ki Kamai Kabir Khanna
Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani Amar Dhanraj
Dariya Dil Ravi
Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein Shyam Amar
Pyaar Mohabbat Raj
Shiv Shakti Shakti
Tohfa Mohabbat Ka Hero
1989 Aakhri Baazi Ram Kumar
Jung Baaz Arjun Srivastav
Do Qaidi Kanu
Paap Ka Ant Abhishek Mhatre
Gentleman Hari/Om
Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii
Billoo Badshah Vijay
Gair Kanooni Om Narayan
Farz Ki Jung Vishal
Dost Garibon Ka Vijay/Barkat Ali
Asmaan Se Ooncha Vikram Malik (Vicky)
Gharana Ravi Mehra
Sachai Ki Taqat Sagar Singh
Taaqatwar John D'Mello
Teri Payal Mere Geet Premi
1990 Maha-Sangram Arjun 'Munna'
Swarg Krishna
Apmaan Ki Aag Vikrant 'Vicky' Narayan Singh
Izzatdaar Vijay
Kali Ganga Govinda
Khatarnaak Himself Special appearance
Naya Khoon Dr. Anand
Raeeszada
Taqdeer Ka Tamasha Satya
Awaargi Dhiren Kumar Critically acclaimed role
1991 Hum Vijay
Kaun Kare Kurbanie Ajit 'Munna' Singh
Bhabhi Amar/Nakadram
Karz Chukana Hai Ravi
1992 Shola Aur Shabnam Karan
Baaz Deva
Jaan Se Pyaara Inspector Jai/Sunder Double Role
Zulm Ki Hukumat Pratap Kohli
Radha Ka Sangam Govinda
1993 Aankhen Vijay (Bunnu) / Gaurishankar Nominated- Filmfare Award for Best Actor
Muqabla Havaldar Suraj
Zakhmo Ka Hisaab Suraj Kumar
Aadmi Khilona Hai Sharad Verma
Prateeksha Raja
1994 Ekka Raja Rani Sagar
Andaz Apna Apna Himself Special appearance
Raja Babu
Khuddar Siddanth Suri
Dulaara Raja
Bhagyawan Amar
Beta Ho To Aisa Raju
Prem Shakti Gangwa/Krishna
Aag Birju/Raju
Brahma Suraj
1995 Gambler Dayashankar Pandey
Rock Dancer Himself Guest appearance
Hathkadi Suraj Chauhan/Rajnikant
Andolan Aniket
Kismat Ajay
Coolie No. 1 Raju Star Screen Award Special Jury Award
Nominated - Filmfare Best Actor Award
1996 Saajan Chale Sasural Shyamsunder Nominated- Filmfare Award for Best Actor
Filmfare Special Award
Chhote Sarkar Amar/Rohit
Zordaar Ravi
Maahir Bhola
Apne Dam Par Himself Special appearance
1997 Hero No. 1 Rajesh Malhotra
Kaun Rokega Mujhe
Deewana Mastana Bunnu Nominated - Filmfare Best Actor Award
Do Ankhen Barah Hath Sagar
Agnichakra Amar
Loha Govinda
Banarasi Babu Gopi
Naseeb Krishna Prasad
Dil Deewana Maane Na
Bhoot Bhungla Dewan
1998 Achanak Arjun
Dulhe Raja Raja Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
Aunty No. 1 Gopi/Kanaklakshmi
Maharaja Kohinoor Karan
Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Pyare Mohan/Chhote Miyan Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
Nominated - Filmfare Best Actor Award
Pardesi Babu Raju Pardesi
1999 Anari No.1 Rahul Saxena /Raja Double Role
Rajaji Rajaji
Haseena Maan Jaayegi Monu Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain Rahul Malhotra
2000 Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain Ganga
Shikari Om Srivastav/Mahendra Pratap Singh Nominated - Filmfare Best Villain Award
Kunwara Raju Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
Beti No. 1 Bharat Bhatnagar
Joru Ka Ghulam Raja
Hadh Kar Di Aapne Raju/Mummy/Daddy/Sweety/Dada/Dadi Six Roles
2001 Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa Bhishma
Albela Rocky Hiranandani
Censor Himself Special appearance
Jodi No.1 Veeru IIFA Best Comedian Award
Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya Prem
Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta Raj Malhotra Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2002 Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai Sunder
Waah! Tera Kya Kehna Raj Oberoi/Banne Khan Double Role
Akhiyon Se Goli Maare Raj Oberoi Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
Chalo Ishq Ladaaye Pappu
2003 Ek Aur Ek Gyarah Tara
Raja Bhaiya Raja Bhaiya
Three Roses Himself Tamil Film - Guest appearance
2005 Ssukh Chandraprakash Sharma
Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen Raja/Vicky
2006 Sandwich Shekhar/Vicky/Sher Singh Double Role
Bhagam Bhag Babla One of the biggest hit of the year
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love Ajay
Partner Bhaskar Diwakar Chowdahry IIFA Best Comedian Award
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male
Jahan Jaaeyega Hamen Paaeyega Karan/Bobby Singh/Sher Khan
Om Shanti Om Himself Special appearance
2008 Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Bobby Arora
Humsey Hai Jahaan
2009 Chal Chala Chal Deepak
Life Partner Jeet Oberoi
Do Knot Disturb Raj
Wanted Himself Special appearance
2010 Raavan Vijay Kumar
2011 Naughty @ 40 Sanjeev Srivastav
Loot Pandit
Delhi Safari Bajrangi (voice) 3D Animation film
2013 Deewana Main Deewana
Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai Pappu Delayed
Run Bhola Run Delayed
Afra Tafri Under Production
Avatar Filming[34]
2014 Kill Dil Pre-production

References [edit]

  1. ^ "Bollywood star tops the poll". BBC News. 1 July 1999. Retrieved 4 May 2010. 
  2. ^ "Directors double dilemma". 1 July 1999. Retrieved 25 March 2010. 
  3. ^ "Govinda the MP seen seldom in House, constituency". Retrieved 29 May 2010. 
  4. ^ Express News Service (6 July 1998). "Govinda's father, actor Arun Ahuja, passes away". Indian Express. Retrieved 2011-01-13. 
  5. ^ "Govinda: Dancing with David". Sunday-guardian.com. Retrieved 2013-03-24. 
  6. ^ "Govinda's father, actor Arun Ahuja, passes away". Indianexpress.com. 26 January 1917. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  7. ^ "Govinda’s Nickname Chi Chi-Meaning Behind It". Calcutta Tube. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 
  8. ^ "A Grave Govinda?". Indianexpress.com. Retrieved 2010-09-27. 
  9. ^ "Govinda gets chatty on radio". In.rediff.com. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  10. ^ "Nobody can replace Govinda". ndtv.com. Retrieved 2009-07-18. 
  11. ^ "Shikari : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh". Indiafm.com. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  12. ^ "Sorry". Indianexpress.com. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  13. ^ "Salaam-E-Ishq : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh". Indiafm.com. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  14. ^ "indiaglitz.com". indiaglitz.com. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  15. ^ "Govinda on his new film, Do Knot Disturb, its meaning, working with David Dhawan & Riteish Deshmukh, Lara Dutta & Sushmita Sen". 
  16. ^ Jha, Subhash K (4 November 2008). "Apna Sapna, Mani Mani". Mid-day.com. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  17. ^ "Raavan: Movie Review". Yahoo! Movies. Retrieved 8 July 2010. [dead link]
  18. ^ "Movie Review: 'Raavan' a feast for the senses". Economic Times. 19 June 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2010. [dead link]
  19. ^ "Movie Review: Raavan". Mid-day.com. Retrieved 8 July 2010. 
  20. ^ "Lok Sabha". Archived from the original on 27 September 2010. 
  21. ^ "Things getting tough for Shakti Kapoor : Bollywood News". ApunKaChoice.Com. 15 March 2005. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  22. ^ "Govinda justifies his cash distribution during Holi". IBN. Retrieved 27 September 2010. [dead link]
  23. ^ S Balakrishnan, (20 January 2008). "Govinda decides to quit politics — India — The Times of India". Timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  24. ^ Hakim, Shoeb (30 November 2007). "Shoeb Hakim: The big, fat Govinda family". Hakimshoeb.blogspot.com. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  25. ^ Aarti Singh of 'Maayka' is Govinda's niece
  26. ^ "Filmfare — Print Edition". Downloads.movies.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  27. ^ "Govinda — From Rags To Riches ...Contd". One India. Retrieved 2011-01-13. [dead link]
  28. ^ "Govinda profile Movie". Webindia123.com. 21 December 1963. Retrieved 2010-07-06. 
  29. ^ "IIFA 2002". Retrieved 2012-07-21. 
  30. ^ "Laughter’s the best medicine". Cybernoon.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 
  31. ^ "Govinda, Juhi, Crowned The Badshahs Of Comedy At The Star Gold Comedy Honor 2007". Indiashows.com. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 
  32. ^ ""Dhoom 2", Hrithik sweep away maximum 'Style' awards". Archived from the original on 27 October 2007. Retrieved 27 September 2010. 
  33. ^ "Winners of 3rd Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards". Indiafm.com. 1 April 2008. Retrieved 2010-07-06. [dead link]
  34. ^ "Govinda gets arrested in his next, Avatar". India Today. 2012-03-09. Retrieved 2013-03-24. 

External links [edit]

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