Member of
Parliament
for Mumbai
North, India
In office
June 3, 2004
– 2009
Preceded by
Ram Naik
Succeeded by
Sanjay Nirupam
Constituency
Mumbai North
Personal
details
Born
Govind Arun
21 December 1963 (age 51)
Virar,
Maharashtra, India
Citizenship
Indian
Political party
Indian National Congress
Spouse(s) Sunita
Ahuja (1987–present)
Children 2
Parents Arun
Kumar
Nirmala Devi
Residence Juhu,
Mumbai, India
Profession Actor
Politician
Religion Hinduism
Signature
Govinda
(born Govind Arun Ahuja on 21 December 1963) is an Indian film actor, comedian
and former politician, known for his work in Hindi films. He has received
twelve Filmfare Awards nominations, won a Filmfare Special Award, won a
Filmfare Award for Best Comedian, and received four Zee Cine Awards. His debut
was in Ilzaam in 1986 and has since appeared in over 165 Hindi films. In June
1999, Govinda was voted the tenth greatest star of stage or screen of the last
thousand years by BBC News Online users.
His
earlier films in the 1980s were in genres including family, drama, action, and
romance. In the 1990s, he gained recognition as a comic actor after 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 Jaayegi (1999). He
received the Filmfare Best Comedian Award for Haseena Maan Jayegi and Filmfare
Special Award for Saajan Chale Sasural. He has successfully played dual roles
in several movies including Jaan Se Pyaara (1992), Aankhen (1993), Bade Miyan
Chote Miyan (1998) and Anari No.1 (1999). Apart from double roles, he has also
successfully played six roles of his own family in Hadh Kar Di Aapne (2000),
one being Raju and others being Raju's mom, Raju's dad, Raju's sister, Raju's
grandmother and Raju's grandfather.
Govinda
is nicknamed 'No. 1' because of the series of films he has done ending with
"No. 1" tag like Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1, Aunty No. 1, Anari No.1,
Beti No. 1 and Jodi No.1, popularly known as No. 1 (film series). Govinda is
the only actor after Akshay Kumar in Bollywood who has done a series of films
with a specific title.
After
a period of box office flops in the 2000s, his recent commercial successes have
been Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007), Life Partner (2009) and Raavan (2010).
In
2015, Govinda became one of the judges of Zee TV's dance-based reality show
Dance India Dance Super Mom Season 2, replacing Mithun Chakraborty. The show
garnered the highest TRP for any opening episode of a reality show.
In
addition to film acting, he was 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. He
defeated Ram Naik of the Bharatiya Janata Party. His constituency was succeeded
by Sanjay Nirupam (also from Congress) in 2009 when Govinda chose to
concentrate on his film career.
Early life
Govinda
was born into a Punjabi family to former actor Arun Kumar Ahuja and
singer/actress Nirmala Devi. Arun Kumar Ahuja, Govinda's father, is best known
for acting in Mehboob Khan's Aurat (1940). He also produced one film which
yielded low returns, shortly after which he became ill. The family, living in a
bungalow on Mumbai's upmarket Carter Road, moved to Virar — a northern Mumbai
suburb, where Govinda was born. He is the youngest of six children and was
given the pet name Chi Chi which means little finger in Punjabi, the language
he spoke at home.
Collaboration
with other actors and actresses
Actors
Shakti
Kapoor
Govinda
has worked most with Shakti Kapoor among all actors. Together they have acted
in 42 films. They last performed together in Naughty @ 40.
Kader Khan
After
Shakti Kapoor, Govinda has worked most with Kader Khan. They have performed
together in 41 films. Govinda and Kader were last seen together in Deewana Main
Deewana, which was released almost 10 years after filming. Due to poor health
condition, Kader Khan has almost stopped working now. After the mid 2000s,
Kader has appeared in very few films and that too for a very short role.
Govinda
along with Shakti or Kader was usually seen in almost every film during the
1990s to the mid 2000s. The trio has also appeared in 22 films altogether.
Johnny
Lever
Govinda
and Johnny Lever have appeared in 22 films together. Johnny mostly played comic
roles in these films.
Satish
Kaushik
Govinda
has done 14 films with Satish Kaushik. They last appeared together in the film
Do Knot Disturb in 2009.
Paresh Rawal
Govinda
has also done 14 films with Paresh Rawal.
Sanjay
Dutt
Govinda
and Sanjay Dutt have worked together in 7 films namely Jeete Hain Shaan Se,
Taaqatwar, Do Qaidi, Andolan, Haseena Maan Jaayegi, Jodi No.1 and Ek Aur Ek
Gyarah.
Actresses
Neelam
Govinda
was frequently paired against Neelam during the 1980s and early 90s. They have
done 10 films together including Govinda's debut film Ilzaam. The films they
have done together are Ilzaam, Love 86, Khudgarz, Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein
Shyam, Hatya, Taaqatwar, Do Qaidi, Dost Garibon Ka, Farz Ki Jung and Billoo
Badshah.
Karisma
Kapoor
During
the 1990s, Govinda was often paired with Karisma Kapoor in movies. They have
done 10 films together like Muqabla, Prem Shakti, Raja Babu, Dulaara, Khuddar,
Coolie No. 1, Saajan Chale Sasural, Hero No. 1, Haseena Maan Jaayegi and
Shikari.
Raveena
Tandon
Govinda
has also done films with Raveena Tandon. They have appeared in nine films
namely Aunty No. 1, Dulhe Raja, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Pardesi Babu, Rajaji,
Anari No.1, Akhiyon Se Goli Maare, Waah! Tera Kya Kehna and Sandwich
Juhi
Chawla
Govinda
has also done films with Juhi Chawla. They have done eight films together
namely Swarg, Bhabhi, Karz Chukana Hai, Radha Ka Sangam, Bhagyawan, Deewana
Mastana, Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa and Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love
as well as a cameo in Andaz Apna Apna.
Rani
Mukerji
Govinda
has done five films with Rani Mukerji, out of which two are upcoming films.
Previously they have worked together in Hadh Kar Di Aapne, Pyaar Diwana Hota
Hai and Chalo Ishq Ladaaye. Their upcoming films are Yash Raj Films's Kill Dil
and Mira Nair's The Bengali Detective.
Lara Dutta
Govinda
has done four films with Lara Dutta namely Bhagam Bhag, Partner, Do Knot
Disturb and a delayed yet to release film Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai.
Personal
life

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's maternal uncle
Anand Singh, an 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. The couple have two children, a
daughter Tina Ahuja and a son Yashvardhan. Tina will soon be seen making her
Bollywood debut. She was first supposed to be making her Debut in 2010 with
Dabangg with Salman Khan, But Sonakshi Sinha was cast instead. In April 2014,
Govinda said that she is still waiting for the right script, she has already refused
30 films proposed to her in the last three years.
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 several Hindi films.
Govinda
narrowly escaped death on 5 January 1994 while traveling to a studio for the
shooting of Khuddar. 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 until
midnight.
In
2004, Govinda entered politics. He joined Indian National Congress and became a
Lok Sabha member from Mumbai by defeating 5 time sitting Member of Parliament
former Petroleum Minister Ram Naik by over 50,000 votes. His election agenda
was focused on prawaas (transportation), swasthya (health) and gyaan
(education). He faced several criticisms as an MP. It was believed by some that
Govinda was unapproachable for common people in his constituency that too at
the time when Mumbai city was facing a calamity caused by heavy rains. In 2008,
he decided to quit politics to focus on his career in Bollywood.
Govinda
was a close friend to late actress Divya Bharti, who according to her parents
still mourns her death.
Controversies
Govinda
has also been a part of controversy when he slapped an onlooker named Santosh
Rai on the sets of the movie Money Hai Toh Honey Hai on January 16, 2008 at
Filmistan Studio, Mumbai. Santosh had apparently trespassed into the shooting
area, started troubling and molesting the extras girls on the sets and refused
to leave even when Govinda requested him to do so. Govinda lost his cool and
slapped him. On February 5, 2009, Santosh filed a complaint against Govinda on
the matter of assault and criminal intimidation in Bombay High Court.
In
2013, The Bombay High Court quashed the complaint and said that there is no
material of criminal intimidation in the complaint filed against Govinda and
also queried as to why the complaint was filed after a year, making it look like
he was instigated to act against the actor.
In
2014, Santosh took his case against Govinda to the Supreme Court. Santosh said
that he had come to Mumbai to become an actor. However, he was slapped by
Govinda and felt very humiliated. He also claimed to fight this case for six
years and had allegedly spent Rs 5 to 6 lakh on lawyers' fees. He also added
that since the actor did not call him and apologize, he is more determined to
fight a case against him. As of April 2014, the case is withheld at Supreme
court.
Govinda
also became a part of another controversy in 2009 when media reported that he
slapped the director Neeraj Vora on the sets of movie Run Bhola Run co-starring
Tusshar Kapoor which was then named Do Lucky for which he was shooting. As per
the script, Govinda was to be slapped by his co-star Aryan Vaid. However, the
slap he received from Aryan was so hard that he became furious. Media reports
stated that he walked up to Neeraj Vora, slapped him and left the set. However,
when asked, both Govinda and Neeraj denied this and termed it as a rumour.
Honors and
recognitions
1999
- voted as World's Tenth greatest star of stage or screen by BBC News Online
users.
2011
- received Mother Teresa International Award at 'Worli Mahotsav' in Mumbai.
Govinda
has a Bollywood record of acting in 49 Films simultaneously and has also signed
record 14 films within 36 Hours.
Filmography
Actor
Year
Film Role Notes
1986 Ilzaam
Ajay Sharma/Vijay Debut film
1986 Tan-Badan
Ravi Pratap First film signed for leading
role
1993 Aankhen
Vijay (Bunnu) / Gaurishankar Nominated- Filmfare Award for Best Actor
1994 Andaz
Apna Apna As Govinda
1996 Coolie
No. 1 Raju Star Screen Award
Special Jury Award
Nominated - Filmfare Best
Actor Award
1996 Saajan
Chale Sasural Shyam/Sunder Filmfare Special Award
Nominated- Filmfare
Award for Best Actor
1997 Deewana
Mastana Bunnu Nominated- Filmfare Award
for Best Actor
1998 Dulhe
Raja Raja Zee Cine
Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
1998 Bade
Miyan Chote Miyan Pyare Mohan/Chhote Miyan Zee Cine Award for
Best Actor in a Comic Role
Special Videocon Screen award from
Jury
Nominated - Filmfare Best Actor Award
1999 Haseena
Maan Jaayegi Monu/Chachaji Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
2000 Shikari
Om Srivastav/Mahendra Pratap Singh Nominated - Filmfare Best Villain
Award
2001 Kunwara Raju
Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2001 Jodi
No.1 Veeru IIFA
Best Comedian Award
Nominated
-Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2001 Kyo
Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta Raj Malhotra Nominated -Filmfare
Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2002 Akhiyon
Se Goli Maare Raj Oberoi Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance
in a Comic Role
2006 Bhagam
Bhag Babla Comeback after a brief phase of temporary
break from acting
2007 Partner
Bhaskar Diwakar Chaudhary IIFA Best Comedian Award
Zee Cine Award for
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male
Star Gold Excellent Comic Actor Award
MTV Lycra Style Most Stylish Comeback Award
NDTV Imagine Best
Jodi of the Year with Salman Khan
2009 Life
Partner Jeet Oberoi Nominated - IIFA Best Comedian
Award
2014 Kill
Dil Bhaiyaji Antagonist, Stardust Award for
Best Supporting Actor
2014 Happy
Ending Armaan Stardust Award for Best Supporting Actor