Kamal Ghorui
Veteran actress Sudha Chandran has opened up about Govinda’s peak stardom, the industry’s treatment of him, and why she believes he is currently not a part of mainstream Bollywood.In an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Sudha said, “To be honest, I have seen that era from very close quarters. At that time, everyone wanted Govinda in their films. Every producer, every director, every banner wanted to cast him. He would say he didn’t have dates, but they would still request him.”She added, “When an actor is trying to keep everyone happy by doing six or seven films at the same time, he is not a machine. He also had only 24 hours in a day. He needed time to sleep, eat and travel from one set to another. In such a situation, delays were inevitable.”
‘First they forced him to sign films, then criticised him’
Sudha did not hold back while speaking about the industry’s role. “First they kept requesting and pushing him to sign films, and then they criticised him and damaged his career,” she said.Recalling her experience of working with him, she added, “On David Dhawan’s set, he was always on time. His timing, his dance, his acting — he is truly one of the finest actors in this country.” She also shared that they performed together at stage shows, including a South Africa tour, and would often sit late into the night discussing spirituality and his mother.
‘Wherever he performs, he still gives it his all’
Reacting to social media comments on videos of Govinda dancing at smaller events, Sudha said, “Today people post videos on social media and comment that he is dancing at small events. But I see only one thing — wherever he performs, he still gives it his all. The same sparkle, the same charm. What difference does it make what people write?”She further noted, “He has never justified himself. He has never given a counter statement. He is not that kind of person.”
‘I want Govinda to work on himself and make a comeback’
Speaking about his absence from Bollywood, Sudha said, “I think he is not in Bollywood right now because many wrong narratives were set around him. Some mistakes might have been his too. He should reflect and move forward with time.”Drawing a comparison, she added, “Amitabh Bachchan is the biggest example. He evolves with time and works on himself. I want Govinda to work on himself and make a comeback. I want to see his comeback.”
