By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
किसी डिस्को में जाएं
किसी होटल में खाएं
कोई देख ले न
कहीं घूम के आएं हम
चलो इश्क़ लड़ायें
चलो इश्क़ लड़ायें
More than the length it is the depth that matters. It is true of Govinda who walked in the right direction & the route to achieve his goal. Govinda, doubt had some talents, especially in the matter of dancing. Basking in others’ sunshine may provide you with temporary comfort but for a lasting romp in the sun, you have to create your own own sunshine.
Govinda,. initially was not doing that until he hit the bulls eyes with “Marte dam Tak” followed by Amitabh starrer “Hum”.At one time,the actor went on a signing spree in a desperate attempt to remain in the race, eventually jepoardizing his heath which forced him to retire for rest and recuperation,learning a lesson from his debacle .
His “Mera Lahoo” did not do well, forcing Pahlaj Nihalani to drop and replace him with Chunky Pandey in ” Aag Hi Aag” which had his then sweetheart Neelam paired with Pandey.” Aag Hi Aag” has done for Chunky what Love 86 did for Govinda. He was lucky enough to have a sting of successful films in row -“Khudgarz”, “Marte Dam Tak” starring Raj Kumar, Farha, Kharbanda Om Puri & “Sindoor’ to gain his lost confidence & emerged with flying clours. “Khudgarz” also a multi starrer comprising of Jeetendra Shatrughan Sinha, Amrita Singh , Rishi Kapoor & Kiran Kumar. It was a story of two bosom friends. Govinda was paired with Neelam. “Sindoor” starring Shashi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra Jaya Parada was a successful movie.
Govinda, as the readers know was a non entity when he hit the screen with a bang .His family had a long spell of lean days. It was broken only when the younger of two sons Govinda stuck gold on the silver screen. Govinda proved a ‘mascot’ for his family . He repaid all his family owned debts to their friends in need and other well wishers.
He acquired an image of a young, dashing romantic guy associated with girls such as Neelam, Farha Khushboo, Anuradha Patel and later Karishma Kapoor. Govinda at one time was tremendously attracted to Khushboo his “Tan-Badan” heroine; they also had extremely hot & erotic bedroom sequences, soon separated company nobody had guessed. However, his infatuation remained with his heart throb Neelam, an exotic & dainty dish with a ‘girl- next- door’ image. Govind was in the seventh heavens when his film was released with Sridevi .
In “Awaargi” he replaced Chunky and raced to a higher category with the success of his films that. “Love 86”, “Ilzaam” & “Tan Badan”( 1986) were his earlier releases. He later swung to comedy & dancing co-starring with Kadar Khan & Shakti Kapoor in over 40 films. I was present on the sets of his “Raja Babu” which had a too sexy nay erotic dance sequence ” “Sarkaye lyo Khatiya Jaada lage”. Both danced uninhibitedly, joyfully, & too acrobatically swaying their limbs in a way too exotically amorous to theirs’ as well as the onlookers’ delight.
I later covered his “Shola Aur Shabnam”, featuring Divya Bharati, Anupam Kher & Bindu. I was a guest on the sets. Govinda joined the ‘A League’ after Raja Babu ( 1994), “Coolie No.1”, (1995), “Hero No.1” (1997) “Dulhe Raja” & “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” (1998 ). The films did wonders on the box office, thereby elevating his status upwards making him rub shoulders with the front runners.
Govinda also had lead roles in several other commercially successful comedy films like “Aankhen” (1993), “Andolan” (1995), “Hero No. 1” , “Deewana Mastana” (1997) , “Anari No.1″( 1999) and “Jodi No. 1” (2001). It would be injustice if we did not mention some of his super-hit numbers like- “Sarkaiye Lo Khatiya” (Raja Babu-1994), “Husn Hai Suhana”( Coolie No.1-1995), “Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare” ( Dulhe Raja-1998) & “Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye” (Bade Miyan Chote Miyan-1998). Udit Narayan rendered the Maximum number of songs for the actor.
