Govinda's reign in the 1990s and early 2000s gifted Hindi cinema with a series of unforgettable buddy comedies. While his electric chemistry with co-stars like Sanjay Dutt and Kader Khan had audiences rolling in the aisles, the reality behind the camera was often a turbulent mix of explosive tempers, chaotic schedules, and unexpected acts of kindness. On the actor's birthday, we delve into the dramatic behind-the-scenes stories that were almost as entertaining as the films themselves.
Sanjay Dutt's Explosive Temper Over Govinda's 9-Hour Delay
The on-screen camaraderie between Govinda and Sanjay Dutt in films like Haseena Maan Jaayegi and Jodi No. 1 masked a professionally strained relationship off-screen. A primary point of contention was Govinda's notorious punctuality, or lack thereof. Actor Rajat Bedi, who worked with the duo on Jodi No. 1, recently recounted a particularly volatile incident to Siddharth Kannan.
The shoot was scheduled for a 7 am start, but Sanjay Dutt and Rajat Bedi were on set by 6 am. Hours passed with no sign of Govinda. Director David Dhawan even sent someone to the actor's house, only to discover he wasn't there. By 2 pm, after an eight-hour wait, Sanjay Dutt was "freaking out," as Bedi recalled, mimicking Dutt's abusive outburst directed at his absent co-star.
Govinda finally arrived at 3 pm, a full nine hours late, having flown directly from another commitment in Hyderabad. "In those days, nobody would know where he was because at that time, he would do 4-5 shifts," Bedi explained. The tension escalated when Dutt received his dialogue sheets, which contained far more lines than Govinda's. This immediately triggered another angry reaction. Sanjay began abusing the assistant director, refusing to say the extra lines and demanding an on-the-spot rewrite. The scene was consequently changed immediately to pacify the furious star.
Kader Khan's Near-Fatal Plunge After a Heated Argument
Govinda's partnership with the legendary Kader Khan, resulting in hits like Coolie No. 1 and Hero No. 1, also faced a severe test. In a conversation with Mukesh Khanna, Govinda recalled an incident where Kader Khan was also directing the film. Contrary to his usual reputation, Govinda claimed he reached the set at 7 am, only to be kept waiting until noon for the shoot to be ready.
Govinda then insisted on having lunch before starting, which sparked a major argument. "Kader Khan told me, 'I've heard a lot that you're being difficult these days. Are you afraid of anyone or not?'" Govinda narrated. When Govinda replied he feared only God, a war of words ensued, culminating in Kader Khan abusing him profusely—a rare occurrence given their close bond.
An angry Kader Khan decided to proceed with the shot without Govinda. The scene involved boats, and in a dramatic turn of events, the boats capsized, taking the camera and Kader Khan himself underwater. He went missing for a terrifying period. When he finally resurfaced, a shaken Kader Khan approached Govinda, kissed his hand, and said, "Tum mein baat hai (You have something in you)." The near-drowning incident seemed to resolve their conflict in a most unexpected way.
Amitabh Bachchan's Punctuality Rescue and Salman Khan's Nervousness
Govinda's chronic lateness met its match in Amitabh Bachchan's legendary discipline during Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998). Nervous about working with the senior actor, Govinda confessed his scheduling woes upfront. Bachchan responded with remarkable professionalism, telling Govinda to simply inform him of his arrival time. He even went a step further to ensure no delays, as co-actor Vijay Patkar recalled: "Amitabh used to go in his car and honk for him to come along to the shoot. He would bring him to set in his car."
The tables turned during the 2007 film Partner, which marked Govinda's comeback. This time, it was Salman Khan who admitted to being "scared" to share the screen with Govinda's formidable comic and dancing prowess. Salman acknowledged the vast gap in their abilities in the comedy-dance genre, saying he felt nervous for the first 17 years of his career about working with Govinda.
Music composer Sajid Khan noted that Salman, not known for excessive rehearsals, put in extra effort for Partner. "Because Govinda was there, he practiced too much," Sajid revealed, highlighting how Govinda's presence pushed even a top star like Salman Khan to elevate his game. These behind-the-scenes glimpses reveal that the magic of Govinda's buddy comedies was forged in a crucible of chaos, pressure, and unexpected respect.
