Govinda returns to Bollywood this Friday (December 22) with
'Bhaganm Bhag'. Read on for his heart-to-heart chat with TWF
correspondent Vickey Lalwani on the eve of the film's release.
You return to Bollywood with Bhagam Bhag after four years. How
does it feel?
It feels great. I want to make a successful comeback. I am nervous
but I am hopeful. I am happy to see that my wife (Sunita) stands
beside me in my moment of trial. The producers of Ashtavinayak
are throwing a party on December 21, which is my birthday and
one day before the release of 'Bhagam Bhag'. Sunita is personally
inviting the guests. My kids cannot conceal their excitement.
My daughter Narmada is 17 years old and hence knows what is
happening, but for my 10-year old son Yashvardhan, 'Bhagam Bhag'
is just like my first film.
Whom do you particularly thank for your comeback?
David Dhawan and Salman Khan. See, everybody knew that politics
is my second profession and I hadn't gone away from anywhere,
but film offers completely dried up. Someone had to put up
his hand and say 'I want to work with Govinda'. Salman and
David (he offered me 'Partner') were the only ones who came
forward. Frankly, David's help did not surprise me; we go
back a long way. But Salman's consideration did. I drive the
Mercedes he gifted me to most of my shootings and social get-togethers.
What is 'Bhagam Bhag' about?
Paresh Rawal has a theatre group in India and he performs
shows all over the country. Akshay and I along with others
are actors in the group. Both are very naughty guys who never
miss any chance to flirt with girls, even the girls in the
group. At the completion of one show, an organizer offers
Paresh's group to perform 30 shows in England. They all get
very excited but as per the contract they need to leave for
England on the same day. Unfortunately the heroine of the
play opts out due to Akshay's misbehavior (pauses). I can't
tell you more.
Did politics hamper your career?
Not really. It was just a coincidence that when I plunged
into politics, film offers dried up. Yes, I had a big lull
in my career. I had no work for three and half years.
You have had a rough passage in politics?
(Shrugs). Some senior people of India chose me to fight against
Ram Naik. I complied, simply because I wanted to join myself
with some good and reliable families of this country. But
soon, I found that I was fighting a lone battle.
Even your security has been reduced...
Yes. But what to do? Today, my security is Uparwallah (God).
I have been born and brought up in Virar (in Mumbai). I am
not scared. If I was a darpok (coward), I wouldn't have fought
Ram Naik. If I was a darpok, I wouldn't have become an actor.
While all your three return films have Salman Khan, why you
aren't being considered with Sanju with whom you were a hit
duo?
We gave three successful films in a row- 'Jodi No.1', 'Haseena
Maan Jayegi', 'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah'. But today, Sanju has gone
in a different genre. He is doing comedy films, which are
serious at the same time- like the Munnabhai series for example.
And, I am doing roles mostly which will cater to purely the
masses- 'Salam-E-Ishq', 'Bhagam Bhag' and 'Partner'. I would
love to do another film with Sanju.
Your first production 'Sukh' bombed at the box-office. Will
you produce another film?
I don't know whether I'll produce another film, but agar kiya,
then I will put only panch paisa from my ek rupaiya, not the
full rupaiya like I did last time. I lost a lot of money in
'Sukh'. I almost sold my bungalow after that.
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