Govinda was one of the biggest superstars in the 1990s and was one of the most loved stars of that era. However, things changed as the 2000s started and soon enough, Govinda’s films were not getting the kind of love, and box office returns that the actor had once experienced. He made a comeback with Salman Khan-starrer Partner but even that did not resuscitate his career. In a recent interview, producer Pahlaj Nihalani, who has collaborated with Govinda in Ilzaam, Shola Aur Shabnam, and Aankhen, revealed that people around him wanted to destroy the actor’s career.
During a conversation with Pinkvilla, Pahlaj said that Govinda has been deceived by many people in Bollywood. “After Partner, everything went against him. He didn’t get any films after that. Many of his big films got shut down, including one with Priyanka Chopra. If someone stabs you in the back, there’s not even a single mark left behind. You don’t even get to know. So, he has been stabbed in the back many times,” he shared.
The producer also clarified that it wasn’t his assumption that people wanted to destroy his career. “It was the truth. Even after Rangeela Raja, many big producers asked me if Govinda ever annoyed me, but I denied. He used to come and go back on time. It’s a rumour that he comes late. He has shot for me 6 am in the morning. He was never late than the assigned time,” he revealed.
“There are no friends in Bollywood. Time par dost hai, time ke baad nahi hai (it’s a selfish friendship). Koi kisi ka apna nahi hai. If someone’s film flops, people throw parties,” Pahlaj added. When the host mentioned that his wife Sunita had also mentioned in an interview that the people around him didn’t let him grow. “She is not wrong, she is right. These pundits destroyed his career,” he said.
Pahlaj was also asked if he tried to guide Govinda towards the right path. “It is wrong to advice anyone. Giving advice to someone means keeping your own self below them. Sachai bolna aur sachai sunna, bahut bada farak hai (Saying and listening to the truth is difficult). I will never say anything wrong about Govinda as an actor and as a person. His thought process is at fault sometimes,” he replied.
