For four years, I was at home doing nothing: Govinda

A hero of the masses, an entire generation has grown up on Govinda's brand of loud, slapstick comedy. And each time he was written off, he returned, after reinventing himself. Three decades on, in what is possibly his fourth innings, he is all set to laugh his way back into your hearts with Kill Dil, as an anti-hero. Last seen in Holiday in a special appearance, the actor has shed all the excess weight and now looks young, happy and relaxed.

And he can still charm the pants off you just with his million-watt smile. Alternately, speaking in Hindi and English, once you tell him you are a Maharashtrian, the actor dazzles you with his 'assal' Marathi. Ask him how he speaks the language so well and pat comes the reply, "Mi Marathi medium madhe shikloy!" That's just one of the many surprises Govinda springs on me as we settle for a candid chat.

You haven't been seen in films for a long time. What kept you away?
I wasn't away. The fact is, I did not get any offers. For four years, I was sitting at home doing nothing. Wahaan, I left politics, yahaan film line ne mujhe chhod diya! Nobody approached me. When my fans would meet me at airports or elsewhere, they would ask me why am I doing some Sandhi Sudha soap ad? I said since I am not seen anywhere, I had to do something.

Surely, you must've got some offers. You probably didn't want to play elderly roles...
(Cuts in) Trust me I did not get a single offer, not even to play a father!

When did things change for you?
Shaad Ali called me and offered this villainous role in Kill Dil. I was determined to work, but since the role was negative, I asked my wife Sunita if I should go ahead and she approved. I said yes to that film and after that, I signed nine films including Holiday and Happy Ending, in which I have a cameo. When I got enough money, I decided to produce and star in Abhinay Chakra.

What is Abhinay Chakra about?
(Laughs) Let's just say it's a masala film.

You're best known for your comedies. What was it like playing a grey character?
Initially, I was a little apprehensive because I was doing something I did not feel good about. In fact, I told Adi (Aditya Chopra) that if I cannot do it, I will return the signing amount!

But you've done controversial roles in the past...
Yes. But those days were different. My confidence level was high and I just did it (smiles).

Is it true you refused to play Alia Bhatt's father in Shaandar?
That was just a way of trying to put pressure on me through the media, so I am pushed into doing it. Yes, I was approached for the role in Shaandar, but when I asked for the script and narration, I didn't get it. Finally, just 20 days before the shoot, the director (Vikas Bahl) came to me with a cheque. I asked him to keep it with him because without knowing what my role is, I didn't want to do it.

So, you have no qualms about playing a father on screen?
Why would I refuse to play Alia's father when I am playing Ranbir's (Kapoor) father (in Jagga Jasoos)? I am an actor and as long as the role is interesting I will do it. I remember around the time when Raavan was being made, my wife told me that I should be working with younger heroes like Abhishek Bachchan. It was I who went to Mani Ratnam and said I want to work in the film. My role was so small, I must have hardly been there for eight-nine minutes in the film, but it was interesting. It's sad that people are spreading such stories because all this will affect my film Abhinay Chakra, in which I am playing a hero.

There have been reports about you being replaced by Jackie Shroff in Jagga Jasoos...
Like I said, some people are spreading such stories either to push me into doing a film or deter producers from approaching me! I am very much a part of the film.

Why do you think such stories are doing the rounds? Is it because of what happened in the past - your late-coming to the sets, troubling producers, etc?
If that was the case, it should have affected my business. I have a lot of goodwill from my audience. I remember during the shooting of Bade Miyaan Chote Miyaan, I had told Amitabh Bachchan that I would be coming late on the sets. That was because my parents had passed away and I was going through a traumatic time. He understood and had said it's alright if I am late.

Why did you turn down Salman Khan's remake of the Marathi film Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho?
Frankly, I did not like the story. The father goes to the Chief Minister when everybody goes against him. But the fact is, he is the one who is at fault to begin with! (The film is about a strict disciplinarian father who canes his child into studying and ignores his passion for cricket.) I know the film was a big hit in Marathi but I do not agree with the concept. No doubt, I am hungry for work now, but it does not mean that I will do something that doesn't touch my heart. Mahesh Manjrekar is a friend and when something good comes, I will work with him. As for Salman, he and I together are good for commercial masala films, not this kind of an 'art' film (laughs).

Are you happy that your daughter Narmmada is finally making her film debut with Gippy Grewal's film?
Yes. Honestly, I don't want to discuss her career because talking about it has proved detrimental to her. I feel sad that despite having a successful actor as a father she has had to struggle so much. At the same time, I am proud that whatever she has got and will achieve will be entirely on her own.

Who among the current crop of actors do you think is good?
Ranveer (Singh) and Ranbir are both good. But Ranveer meri tarah niklaa hai. He started out small and is becoming big. He has worked very hard in Ram Leela. I like Deepika Padukone too. Dono ne bada dhamaal romance kiya hai film mein. Even Priyanka and Parineeti (Chopra) are very good.

Who do you think can give you takkar in comedy?
Ranveer is good in the comedy scenes of Ram-Leela, but if you ask me who can give me takkar, I will say nobody. These days actors do hardly one or two films at a time, unlike in my time where I used to shoot for 15-16 films simultaneously. I was totally new and had nobody like Subhash Ghai or Yash Chopra backing me. I created a niche and a comedy genre for myself. The only actor I think comes somewhere close is Ranbir. He is trying to create a niche for himself with a variety, but still he is also doing only a couple of films at a time. Hamare jaise mehnat koi nahin kar sakta!

These days, actors work in one or two films to be able to get into the skin of the character...
When I entered the industry, my aim was to do as many films as possible, earn money and make things comfortable for my family. Who had the time to even think of such things? I was this boy from a gaanv, and my work, the way I worked reflected that. I gelled with the masses. Actually, I am glad I did so many films because that benefited me.

You were the hero of the masses, today Salman Khan has that connect...
Yes. I think Salman got that connect with the masses after doing Partner. But Salman has taken it to another level with his charity organisation Being Human. The masses genuinely love him.

What is the status with the sequel of Partner?
All I know is that after the film was over, Sohail Khan had given me the signing amount for the next because I hadn't charged a penny for Partner. Salman and Sohail are like family to me.

When you go on the sets today, what difference do you see?
There's a lot of difference. Detailed planning is done, which makes it convenient for the actors to shoot. And everybody is working hard. Technically we're on par with the world. As for actors, they are like fashion models, body-builders working hard on their physique!

Are you saying a lot of importance is being given to physical appearance?
No, today an actor has to work for everything. He has to act very well, have a good body and be a good dancer.