Govinda says he 'didn't have to please anyone' to become famous

Bollywood actor Govinda has shown rare staying power over three decades in the industry. He says that he has done it all — superstardom, exit from the industry to take up a political role, and his comeback — on his own terms.

Now 53, Govinda’s heydays were in the 1990s, with films like David Dhawan’s Coolie No. 1 (1995) and Hero No. 1(1997), and Haseena Maan Jaayegi. A relatively recent film Partner (2007), in which he co-starred with Salman Khan, was one of the most successful comedies of that decade. This year saw the release of Aa Gaya Hero, with Govinda in the lead.

The actor tells us, “I am proud to say that whatever I have ever wanted, I have done it my way. I didn’t have to please anyone to get where I am. I worked towards it. I wanted to be at the top of films, I did it my way. Then I wanted to try my hand at politics, and I did that.” His political career began in 2004, when he defeated veteran politician Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat. When the next election came along, the actor wanted out.

“In 2009, I wanted to get out of it (politics) without any controversies, and I have to admit, I’m really very lucky to [have managed that]. Now I am here again, entering films, when I wanted to,” says Govinda.

The actor admits that making a name for himself and staying in the industry for so long has been a lot of hard work. “Bina mehnat kare kuch nahi milta. I never got anything served to me on a platter. For someone who wasn’t that well-read, who didn’t have much command over language, and many other things, it’s a big deal to have become famous. And I believe that, if one is true to their art, and works hard to get what they want, then bhagwan deta hai, sabko chhappar fad ke deta hai,” he quips.