Govinda ( born Govind Arun Ahuja, on December 21, 1963) is a Filmfare award-winning Indian actor and politician. He has appeared in over 120 Hindi language films. At the start of his career, his acting and dancing skills gained him widespread attention among film viewers. He later gained worldwide fame as a Bollywood icon through comedy films such as Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen, Coolie No.1, Haseena Maan Jaayegi and Partner.
Govinda was nicknamed and referred to as “Chi Chi” (Punjabi: Little Finger) by his family, close associates and occasionally by the media.
He is a member of the Indian National Congress Party He was elected as the 7th Member of Parliament for the Mumbai North Constituency of Maharashtra, India in the 14th Lok Sabha elections after defeating Ram Naik of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
In June 1999, Govinda was voted as the 10th greatest star of stage or screen of the last thousand years by BBC News Online users.
Govinda
Member of Parliament
for Mumbai North, India
In office
June 03, 2004 – 16 May 2009
Preceded by Ram Naik
Succeeded by Sanjay Nirupam
Constituency Mumbai North
Born December 21, 1963 (1963-12-21) (age 45)
Virar, Thane, Mumbai
Birth name Govind Arun Ahuja
Political party Indian National Congress
Spouse(s) Sunita Ahuja
Children 2
Residence Mumbai
Profession Actor, Television presenter, Politician
Religion Hinduism
Early life
Govinda’s father, small time actor Arun Ahuja married Nazeem, later known as Nirmala Devi (Govinda’s mother). His father, Arun Kumar Ahuja, an actor in the 1940s, was a Punjabi settled in Maharashtra. Arun was notable for acting in Mehboob Khan’s Aurat (1940). Arun and Nirmala first met during the making of the film Savera, in which they were cast opposite each other. They married in 1941.
The only film Ahuja ever produced was a flop. Unable to bear the loss, his health failed. The family, living in a bungalow on Mumbai’s upmarket Carter Road, was forced to move to Virar — a far- flung semi-rural Mumbai suburb, where Govinda was born. The youngest of six children—his pet name Chi Chi means little finger in Punjabi, the language they speak at home. Since his father was unable to work, Nirmala Devi brought up the children through hard times in Mumbai.
Acting career
He studied at Annasahb Vartak College in Vasai, Mumbai, Maharashtra. He graduated in commerce, but failed to find a job. He was not considered for a steward’s position at the Taj Mahal hotel because his English wasn’t good enough. His father suggested films. Around this time, Govinda saw the film Saturday Night Fever and dance became his obsession. He practised for hours and circulated a promo of himself on a VHS cassette. Soon a fertiliser commercial came his way, followed by an Allwyn ad, finally his very first leading role in Tan Badan which was to be directed by his uncle Anand. He started shooting for his next film Love 86 in June 1985. By mid-July, he had signed 40 others.
His first film to be released Ilzaam (1986) was a box office success and 5th biggest hit of 1986.The film established him as a dancing star. He acted in a string of movies after that with mixed success. Most of the films he appeared in during the 1980s were in the action, romance or family drama genres. He was often paired opposite actress Neelam and together they appeared in hit films such as Love 86 (1986), Khudgarz (1987) and his brother Kirti Kumar’s directed Hatya (1988). He had success with family drama films such as Dariya Dil (1988), Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) and Hum (1991) as well as action films such as Marte Dam Tak (1987) and Jung Baaz (1989). He worked with David Dhawan for the first time in the 1989 action film Taaqatwar. He also had a hit film that year with Rajini Kanth & Sridevi in Ghair Khanooni
He acted in critically acclaimed film Zulm Ki Hukumat, an Indian remake of Godfather where his performance was appreciated. He then formed a successful collaboration with David Dhawan and went onto act in 17 movies directed by him most of which were comedy films. The most successful films during their collaboration included Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), Aankhen (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) and Jodi No. 1 (2001). Dhawan and other directors frequently cast him opposite actresses such as Divya Bharati, Karishma Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Manisha Koirala, and Raveena Tandon during the 1990s.
Govinda played the role of a villain for the first time in his career in Shikari (2000). Although the movie was not a commercial success, Govinda’s convincing portrayal of a sociopath murderer was critically acclaimed.
His box office draw suffered a setback in the early 2000s following a series of commercially unsuccessful films.He turned down roles in Taal, Gadar: Ek Prem Katha and Devdas which went on to become successful films[7]. His acting career was further affected when he contested and won the seat for Member of Parliament from Mumbai North in the 2004 parliamentary elections. He did not have any new film releases in 2004 and 2005 although some of his delayed films such as Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen (2005) and his own home production Ssukh (2005) were released but were box office disasters.
Govinda made a comeback to films in late 2006 with the comedy film Bhagam Bhag alongside Akshay Kumar which was a success. His first 2007 release was the huge multi-starrer Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love. Although a box office disappointment, Govinda was praised for his performance.
His second 2007 release was the David Dhawan directed comedy Partner, which co-stars Salman Khan. The film grossed Rs.300 Million in India on its opening week, the second highest domestic opening week gross for an Indian film up until then. . His recently released film for 2008 is Money Hai Toh Honey Hai. In 2008 Salman Khan invited David Dhawan and Govinda on his show Dus Ka Dum to celebrate the success of their film Partner.
Govinda has joined Mani Ratnam’s Bilingual Project along with Vikram,Abhishek Bachchan,Aishwarya Rai,Prabhu Ganesan,Karthik Muthuraman,Suhasini Mani Ratnam,Ravi Kishan,Prithviraj Sukumaran,Priyamani and Tejaswini Kolhapure.The film is titled Raavan in Hindi and Ashokavanam in Tamil.Govinda plays a forest officer who takes Vikram’s character through the forests in search of a wanted criminal.While it was earlier speculated that it was a contemporary version of Hanuman,Govinda refutes the claim.[10].Karthik Muthuraman plays the character in Ashokavanam.
Career As A Television host
He had debuted on Indian television in 2001 as a television host for popular game show Jeeto Chappard Phardke on Sony Entertainment Television
Political career
In 2004, Govinda joined the Congress party, and was elected to the Lok Sabha, the lower House of Parliament from Mumbai with a thumping majority of beating the 5 time sitting MP by over 50000 votes.
In a run up to the polls, Govinda had announced that his agenda will be awaas (housing), prawaas (transportation), swasthya (health) and gyaan (education).
During the first ten months of his tenure as an Member of Parliament (MP), Govinda did not spend any money from his MP Local Area Development Fund of Rs. 20 million. He started utilizing his fund only when newspaper reports brought this to notice. According to the Thane district collectorate sources, Govinda committed Rs 7 to construct anganwadi, samaj mandirs and resolve drinking water problem of Vasai and Virar residents. However, work on these projects did not begin (as of August 2005), because administrative approval was being awaited. Govinda also took credit for 80% of the quadrupling of Borivli-Virar section on Western Railway (India).
During his tenure as an MP, Govinda embarrassed his party, Congress, by coming out in open to support actor Shakti Kapoor, who had been caught in an sting operation, asking for sexual favours from a television reporter posing as a Bollywood aspirant[2]. He also opposed the ban on dance bars, which embarrassed the Congress-NCP led Democratic Front Government, which had proposed the ban.
As an MP, Govinda has been criticized for being inaccessible to the people of his constituency, especially during the terrible rains (beginning July 26, 2005) that left around 450 dead in Mumbai. After the rains, while speaking to a TV channel, Govinda claimed that he had got Rs 150 million sanctioned for his flood-hit constituency after speaking to Sonia Gandhi. However, his own party colleagues contested the claim. Mohan Adhikari, the president of Palghar Congress Unit went on record saying that “not a single paisa” had been received.
During his tenure as the Member of Parliament, he was never played any active role. He was mostly absent while the house was in session. He also did not participate in any debates or raise any queries regarding his constituency.
On Jan 20, 2008, he has decided to quit politics to concentrate on his acting career in Bollywood.
Personal life
Govinda’s father Arun Ahuja was an actor in the 1940s and his mother Nirmala Ahuja was also an actress as well as a singer. His brother Kirti Kumar is an actor, producer and director. His sister Kaamini Khanna is a writer , music director, singer, anchor and founder of Beauty with Astrology. Govinda has six nephews and two nieces in the entertainment industry: actors Vinay Anand, Krushna Abhishek, Aryan, Arjun Singh, Ragini Khanna, Amit Khanna, Aarti Singh and director Janmendra Kumar Ahuja. Govinda’s brother-in-law Devendra Sharma has also acted in a few Hindi Films.
Govinda’s maternal uncle Anand Singh , who was assistant to director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, launched him in his movie Tan Badan.Anand Singh’s wife’s younger sister Sunita fell in love with Govinda during the ‘Mahurat’ of Tan Badan.They got married on 11 March 1987.Their marriage was a closely guarded secret for the initial four years.
It was rumored that Govinda initially wanted to marry actress Neelam with whom he had made many films but eventually gave up and married Sunita according to his mother’s wish.
The couple have two children,Narmada and Yashvardhan.
Govinda had a narrow escape from death on January 5, 1994. While travelling to a studio for the shooting of ‘Khuddar (1994)’, the actor’s car hit another car, resulting in him sustaining injuries to his head. Though bleeding profusely, Govinda did not cancel the shooting. After visiting a doctor, he shot for the film till midnight.
Age Dispute
Govinda’s year of birth has been cited as both 1958 and 1963. According to Govinda’s parliament member profile on Loksabha.nic.in, the Official Government website of Lok Sabha,his date of birth is listed as December 21, 1963. The profile is compiled from government records.Personal Information of parliament members are obligatorily scrutinized and affirmed at the time of submitting nominations for candidacy.
The year of birth has also been stated as 1958 in numerous web portals.This probably originated from an unverified entry on his IMDb page. Various web portals like Rediff which referred IMDb as a source,featured articles on the actor celebrating his 48th birthday on the eve of Bhagam Bhag’s release in December 21, 2006.
Awards
1997 – Special Filmfare award for Saajan Chale Sasural
1998 – Lux Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for Dulhe Raja
1998 – Special Videocon Screen award from Jury for overall performance
1999 – Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan
1999 – Filmfare Best Comedian Award, Haseena Maan Jaayegi
1999 – Was voted No.10 in a BBC News Online Survey to find out the Top 10 Greatest Stars of Stage and Screen of the last 1000 years.[6] Others in the list included Amitabh Bachchan, Charlie Chaplin, Robert De Niro, Cary Grant and Marilyn Monroe.
2000 – Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role for Haseena Maan Jaayegi
2002 – IIFA Best Comedian Award for Jodi No. 1
2007 – “Excellent Comic Actor” Award at the Star Gold Comedy Honors
2007 – Most Stylish Comeback Award at the MTV Lycra Style Awards
2008 – Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards, “NDTV Imagine Best Jodi of the Year 2007″ along with Salman Khan.
2008 – Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male for Partner
2008 – IIFA Best Comedian Award for Partner 
Filmography
Actor
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Ilzaam Ajay Sharma/Vijay Features the hit song “Street Dancer”
Duty -
Tan-Badan Ravi Pratap
Love 86 Vikram Doshi
Sadaa Suhagan Ravi
1987 Mera Lahoo Govinda Singh
Marte Dam Tak Jai
Khudgarz Kumar Saxena Adaptation of Kane and Abel
Dadagiri Suraj
Pyaar Karke Dekho Ravi Kumar
Sindoor Ravi
1988 Jeete Hain Shaan Se Iqbal Ali
Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga Deepak Malhotra
Hatya Sagar Remake of Poovinu Puthiya Poonthennal
Halaal Ki Kamai -
Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani Amar Dhanraj
Dariya Dil Ravi
Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein Shyam Amar
Pyaar Mohabbat -
Shiv Shakti -
Tohfa Mohabbat Ka -
1989 Aakhri Baazi Ram Kumar
Jung Baaz Arjun Srivastav
Do Qaidi Kanu
Paap Ka Ant -
Gentleman -
Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii Ravi Verma Neil Nitin Mukesh played the younger version of Ravi.
Billoo Badshah -
Gair Kaanooni Om Narayan
Farz Ki Jung Vishal
Dost Garibon Ka -
Asmaan Se Ooncha Vikram Malik (Vicky)
Gharana Ravi Mehra
Sachai Ki Taqat Sagar Singh
Taaqatwar John D’Mello
1990 Maha-Sangram Ram Kumar
Mohabaat Ki Aag -
Kaun Kare Kurbandi -
Awaargi Dhiren Kumar
Swarg Krishna
Izzatdaar Vijay
Kali Ganga -
Khatarnaak Dancer in song “Jeena Hai Humka..”
Naya Khoon Dr. Anand
Raeeszada -
Taqdeer Ka Tamasha -
1991 Hum Vijay
Kaun Kare Qurbani Ajit
Bhabhi Amar/Nakadram
Karz Chukana Hai Ravi
1992 Shola Aur Shabnam Karan
Teri Payal Mere Geet Premi
Baaz -
Jaan Se Pyaara Inspector Jai/Sunder Double Role
Zulm Ki Hukumat Pratap Kohli
Radha Ka Sangam -
1993 Aankhen Bunnu/Gaurishankar Highest Grossing film of the year
Muqabla Suraj
Zakhmo Ka Hisaab Suraj Kumar
Aadmi Khilona Hai Sharad Verma
Prateeksha Raja
1994 Ekka Raja Rani Sagar
Andaz Apna Apna as Himself
Raja Babu Raja Singh Remake of Rasukutty
Rakhwale -
Khuddar Siddanth
Dulaara Raja
Ekka Raja Rani Sagar
Bhagyawan Amar
Beta Ho To Aisa Raju
Prem Shakti Gangwa/Krishna
Aag Birju
Brahma Suraj
1995 Gambler Dayashankar Pandey Version of Short Time
Rock Dancer -
Hathkadi Suraj Chauhan/Rajnikant
Andolan Aniket
Kismat Ajay
Coolie No. 1 Raju Nominated for Filmfare Best Actor Award, Remake of Chinna Mapillai
1996 Saajan Chale Sasural Shyamsunder Special Filmfare Award,Remake of Veera
Chhote Sarkar Amar/Rohit
Zordaar Ravi
Maahir Bhola
Apne Dam Par -
1997 Hero No. 1 Rajesh Malhotra Remake of Bawarchi
Kaun Rokega Mujhe -
Deewana Mastana Bunnu Nominated for Filmfare Best Actor Award, Version of What about Bob?
Do Ankhen Barah Hath Sagar
Agnichakra Amar
Loha Govinda
1998 Achanak Arjun
Banarasi Babu Gopi
Dulhe Raja Raja Remade as Thuruppu Gulan.Two of the movie’s songs were used as titles for other movies – Suno Sasurjee and Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare.
Aunty No. 1 Gopi
Maharaja Kohinoor Karan
Naseeb Krishna Prasad
Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan Pyare Mohan/Chhote Miyan Version of Bad Boys
Pardesi Babu Raju Pardesi
1999 Anari No. 1 Rahul Saxena /Raja
Rajaji Rajaji
Haseena Maan Jaayegi Monu Winner, Filmfare Best Comedian Award
Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain Rahul Malhotra
2000 Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain Ganga
Shikari Om Srivastav/Mahendra Pratap Singh Nominated for Filmfare Best Villain Award
Kunwara Raju Remake of Bavagaru Bagunnara?
Beti No. 1 Bharat Bhatnagar Remake of Aadyathe Kanmani
Joru Ka Ghulam Raja
Hadh Kar Di Aapne Raju/Mummy/Daddy/Sweety/Dada/Dadi Six Roles
2001 Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa Bhimsha
Albela Tony
Censor -
Jodi No.1 Veeru
Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya Prem
Kyo Kii… Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta Raj Malhotra Remake of Liar Liar
2002 Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai Sunder
Waah! Tera Kya Kehna Raj Oberoi/Banne Khan Double Role
Akhiyon Se Goli Maare Raj Oberoi
Chalo Ishq Ladaaye Pappu Remake of Strangers on a Train
2003 Ek Aur Ek Gyarah: By Hook or by Crook Tara
Raja Bhaiya Raja Bhaiya
Three Roses – Remake of Charlie’s Angels
2005 Ssukh Chandraprakash Sharma
Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen Raja/Vicky
2006 Sandwich Shekhar/Vicky Double Role
Bhagam Bhag Babla Remake of Mannar Mathai Speaking
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute To Love Raju Inspired by Love Actually
Partner Bhaskar Diwakar Chowdahry Remake of Hitch
Jahan Jaaeyega Hamen Paaeyega Karan/Bobby Singh/Sher Khan
Om Shanti Om as Himself
2008 Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Bobby Arora Hansika Motwani who played his romantic interest had eariler acted as his daughter in the never completed film “Yahoo”.[19]
Humsey Hai Jahaan -
2009 Chal Chala Chal Deepak Remake of Ee Parakum thalika,Release postponed multiple times
Main Aur Mrs Khanna -
Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai Pappu Remake of My Cousin Vinny
Life Partner (film) -
Naughty @ 40 – Remake of The 40-Year-Old Virgin
Loot -
Chai Garam -
Ab Dilli Door Nahin -
Run Bhola Run -
Showman -
Do Knot Disturb -
Raavan -
