When he surfaced on the marquee with Ilzaam more than 20 years ago, Govinda was known as an industrious lad who worked really hard to realise his dreams of becoming a top Bollywood star. And over the years, he has set entire cinemas laughing, easily merging the roles of comedian and leading man, while executing dance moves that were the envy of his contemporaries. Best of all, he proved you didn't need to look a certain way to make it big in the Hindi film universe.
Unfortunately, his hits and career success have been obliterated by real life, from his alleged association with the underworld to a real-life role as a member of Indian parliament to more recent diva-like requests and reported unprofessional behaviour. "People have a tendency to take me for granted just because I make light of things," he says when asked about his recent eccentricities – a trait often equated with comic legend Kishore Kumar. "I have been very hot-tempered before. But I've learnt my lesson. Now I try to maintain my cool."
Off-screen antics aside, the audiences seem to love Govinda. Years after he quit Bollywood to make a career in politics, he returned recently to the silver screen and was welcomed with open arms. His 2007 film Partner, directed by David Dhawan, was a huge hit and the actor is hot property again. He is now on a signing spree, asking anything from Rs80 million (Dh6.9m) to Rs100m per film depending on his mood.
This is despite – or perhaps for him, in spite of – the abysmal box-office showing of last week's Money Hai To Honey Hai. The turkey, directed by choreographer-turned-director Ganesh Acharya, saw Govinda romance young Hansika Motwani, a girl his daughter's age and younger than his last young heroine, Katrina Kaif. "I had to do this film because Ganesh is a good friend and I refused his first film, Swami," says Govinda.
"I didn't want to star opposite Hansika but Ganesh persuaded me to. Hansika is a very good actress but the film was not made the way it had to be and everyone is upset. I tried telling Ganesh to change a few scenes, but the director within him woke up and gave me a good earful. So I stopped. The result is for everyone to see," he says, distancing himself from the film.
But his saleability remains unaffected, and some directors swear by Govinda, particularly remake specialists and long-time friends Dhawan, with whom he is doing Do Not Disturb, and Priyadarshan. On his plate at the moment are no less than half a dozen projects, including Neeraj Vohra's Do Lucky, Ravi Chopra's Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai, Jagmohan Mundhra's Naughty At 40, Aditya Datt's Chai Garam, and Loot, being produced by Suneil Shetty.
Most impressive of all, though, is a reported film with Mani Ratnam, known for his intelligent cinema. "He has offered me a good role. He is a good filmmaker I want to work with him. He is a senior filmmaker as compared to Ganesh for sure," says Govinda, sarcasm strong in his tone.
This is Govinda's second stint with Bollywood. The film industry has changed a lot since Govinda made his debut in 1986. So what have been the learnings of his time here?
"I feel in the last 23 years I have not learnt much. Learning is a never-ending process. Time brings some new lessons your way always," he philosophises.
Recalling his humble beginnings – Govinda used to live in a low-budget block of tenements before he made it big – he feels close to the underprivileged sections of the society. "At least my kids don't have to work for money like I had to. I have seen life closely," he asserts.
As his children, Yash and Namrata, seek to follow in their father's footsteps, Govinda is pulling out all the stops to give her the start he never had, including sending Namrata to acting school in the United States.
But what of Govinda himself? The film industry is rife with rumours that his political career will be over with the dissolution of the Lok Sabha, India's lower house of parliament, next year.
But he refuses to be drawn on politics:"Let's talk only films," he says. Perhaps that's an indication of where his career is is headed. (Sanskriti Media)