Govinda's Role Axed from Mani Ratnam's Raavan, Co-star Reveals Major Editing Cuts
Mani Ratnam's 2010 film Raavan, starring Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, faced significant editing changes that led to the removal of several supporting actors' roles, including Govinda's, according to a recent revelation by co-star Tejaswini Kolhapure. The film, which aimed to blend mythology with contemporary drama, underwent substantial transformations during the post-production phase, leaving many cast members surprised and disappointed.
Tejaswini Kolhapure's Shocking Experience on Set
In a candid interview with Siddharth Kannan on his YouTube channel, Tejaswini Kolhapure shared her unsettling experience while working on Raavan. She expressed initial hope that the project would revitalize her career, but those expectations were dashed as the filming process unfolded. Kolhapure spent nearly three months on location near Cochin, only to discover that the final product diverged drastically from what she had been promised.
"They didn't give me the script beforehand, so when I got it on location and read it, I felt like I should leave," she recalled. Despite her reservations, Kolhapure honored her contract, avoiding potential conflicts with the production team. She described the initial discussions in Mumbai as "completely different" from the actual script she later encountered, highlighting a lack of transparency in the pre-production stages.
Support from Anurag Kashyap Amidst Stress
Feeling overwhelmed by the situation, Kolhapure reached out to filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, with whom she had previously worked in Paanch. "I told him I was so stressed. He calmed me down, told me to relax and just do my work diligently," she shared. This advice provided her with some solace during the chaotic filming process, though it did little to mitigate the eventual outcome of her role being significantly reduced.
The Editing Table: Where Roles Disappeared
The true extent of the changes became apparent during the dubbing sessions. Kolhapure arrived at the studio expecting to record multiple dialogues, only to be informed that her work was complete after just one line. When she inquired about the missing scenes, she received vague responses, leading her to suspect that her role had been chopped. "By then I had gotten to know that they had changed the film. I was completely shocked," she stated.
Kolhapure elaborated on the discrepancies, noting that "what I was told was not in the script and what was on the script was not in the movie." This realization was compounded by the discovery that other actors, including Govinda, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, and Sachin Khedekar, also faced similar fates. "That was a big setback," she admitted, emphasizing the collective impact on the supporting cast.
Lack of Narration and Trust Issues
When questioned about whether she received a proper narration before signing the contract, Kolhapure revealed that no such session took place. "There was no narration. Just bits and pieces thrown at you," she explained. The production team's reluctance to disclose the full story, citing confidentiality, led her to proceed based on trust. She recalled reading a few scenes that seemed promising, particularly those involving her character as Ravi Kishan's wife and Abhishek Bachchan's sister-in-law, with interactions alongside Aishwarya Rai. However, all these sequences were ultimately cut from the final edit.
Moving On Without Closure
Despite the disappointment, Kolhapure chose not to confront director Mani Ratnam directly, citing a lack of personal bond. "I did not have a bond with Mani Ratnam so I could never ask him what had happened," she said, opting to let the episode pass without further inquiry. This decision reflects the often-unspoken challenges actors face in the film industry, where creative changes can overshadow initial agreements.
The revelations shed light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Raavan, illustrating how editing decisions can alter a film's narrative and impact performers' careers. For Govinda, who was attempting a career resurgence through supporting roles in the late 2000s, this experience added to a series of setbacks, reinforcing the unpredictable nature of Bollywood productions.
