Govinda (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Govinda
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Govinda in 2018
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| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 2004–2009 |
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| Preceded by | Ram Naik |
| Succeeded by | Sanjay Nirupam |
| Constituency | Mumbai North |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Govind Arun Ahuja
21 December 1963 Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
| Political party | Shiv Sena (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations |
Indian National Congress (2004–2009) |
| Spouse |
Sunita Ahuja
(m. 1987) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents | Arun Kumar Ahuja (father) Nirmala Devi (mother) |
| Relatives | See Govinda family |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1986–2019 (actor) 2004–present (politician) |
Govind Arun Ahuja (born 21 December 1963), known simply as Govinda, is a famous Indian actor and politician. He has acted in more than 165 Hindi-language films. Govinda was a top actor in the 1990s, known for his funny acting and amazing dancing.
He has been nominated for 12 Filmfare Awards and won two special Filmfare Awards. He also won a Filmfare Award for Best Comedian. Govinda started his career in the 1980s as an action and dancing hero. His first film, Love 86, was released in 1986 and was a hit.
In the 1990s, Govinda became known for his comedy roles. This happened after his parts in Shola Aur Shabnam (1992) and Aankhen (1993). He starred in many successful comedy films like Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Hero No. 1 (1997), and Dulhe Raja (1998).
Some of his later successful films include Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007), and Holiday (2014). In 2015, Govinda was a judge on the TV reality show Dance India Dance Super Moms.
Govinda was also a member of the Parliament of India from 2004 to 2009. He was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Mumbai North area. He joined the Shiv Sena party in 2024.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Govinda was born on 21 December 1963. His father, Arun Kumar Ahuja, was an actor, and his mother, Nirmala Devi, was a singer and actress. His family has mixed backgrounds. His grandfather was Punjabi, and his grandmother was Sindhi. Govinda feels more connected to his Punjabi side.
His father, Aroon, came from Gujranwala, which is now in Pakistan. His mother was from Varanasi, India. Aroon came to Mumbai in the late 1930s to become an actor. He was in about 30 films as a hero. After his father's film production lost money, the family moved to Virar, a suburb of Mumbai, where Govinda was born. He was the youngest of five children. His family called him "Chi Chi," which means "little finger" in Punjabi.
Acting Career Highlights
Starting Out: 1986–1991
After finishing college, Govinda's father suggested he try acting. Govinda practiced dancing a lot and made a video to show his skills. He got offers for commercials.
He was offered a role in the popular TV show Mahabharat but chose to focus on films. His first main role was in Tan-Badan (1986), directed by his uncle. His first film to be released was Ilzaam (1986), followed by Love 86 in the same year. Both films were successful.
He then starred in many films between 1987 and 1989. These included family dramas like Khudgarz (1987) and action films like Hatya (1988). Govinda first worked with director David Dhawan in the 1989 action film Taaqatwar.
In 1990, Govinda was in the film Awaargi and the successful films Swarg and Maha-Sangram. In 1991, he appeared with Amitabh Bachchan and Rajnikanth in the hit film Hum.
Becoming a Comedy Star: 1992–2001
In 1992, Govinda starred in David Dhawan's romantic comedy Shola Aur Shabnam. The film was a success, and people loved Govinda's role as a playful young cadet.
His successful work with Dhawan continued with Aankhen, which was the highest-grossing film of 1993. Govinda played two roles in the film. Aankhen was a huge hit and made Govinda a famous comedy actor. He and Dhawan made many successful comedy films together after this.
In 1994, Govinda starred in the super hit comedy Raja Babu. He played Raja, a rich villager who falls in love. This film, also directed by David Dhawan, was very popular.
In 1995, Govinda starred in Coolie No. 1, another super hit directed by David Dhawan. Govinda played Raju, a worker who pretends to be rich to marry a girl. This film became a classic. Govinda also appeared in the action film Andolan, which was also a success.
In 1996, Govinda worked with David Dhawan again in Saajan Chale Sasural. Govinda's character, Shyamsunder, has to manage two wives. The film was a super hit and one of the highest-grossing Indian films of 1996.
In 1997, Govinda starred in the comedy Hero No. 1. He played a rich heir who pretends to be a servant to win his girlfriend's family. This film was another super hit for Govinda and David Dhawan. He also starred in Deewana Mastana (1997), a romantic comedy that was also a hit.
In 1998, Govinda starred in Dulhe Raja, playing a restaurant owner who clashes with a rich man. The film was a big hit. The songs from the film were also very popular.
Also in 1998, Govinda reunited with David Dhawan for the action comedy Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Govinda and Amitabh Bachchan both played dual roles as police officers and thieves. The film was a major hit.
In 1999, Govinda starred in the comedy Anari No.1, which was a hit. He then starred in Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), another comedy directed by David Dhawan. This film was very successful and is considered one of Govinda's best performances. He won the Comedian of the Year award for it.
In 2000, Govinda played six roles in the comedy Hadh Kar Di Aapne. The film was a commercial success. In 2001, Govinda worked with David Dhawan and Sanjay Dutt again in Jodi No. 1. This buddy comedy was a hit and one of the highest-grossing films of the year.
Later Films: 2006–Present
After a break from films, Govinda made a comeback in 2006 with the comedy Bhagam Bhag, starring with Akshay Kumar. In 2007, he appeared in Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love. His second release that year was David Dhawan's comedy Partner, which was a big success. Govinda won several awards for his role in Partner.
In 2009, he played a lawyer in the hit film Life Partner. He also worked with Dhawan again in Do Knot Disturb.
In 2010, Govinda appeared in Mani Ratnam's film Raavan. In 2011, he was in the comedy Naughty @ 40 and voiced a character in the animated film Delhi Safari.
In 2014, Govinda appeared in Holiday with Akshay Kumar. He also starred in Kill Dil and Happy Ending. His performances in these films were praised by critics.
In 2017, Govinda starred in his home production Aa Gaya Hero. His last film released in cinemas was Rangeela Raja in 2019. Since 2022, he has not acted in new films.
Political Career
Member of Parliament
In 2004, Govinda joined the Indian National Congress party. He was elected to the Lok Sabha, which is the lower house of the Indian parliament. He won by over 50,000 votes.
During his time as an MP, Govinda focused on transportation, health, and education. He helped improve the railway section between Borivali and Virar. He also worked to use funds for building community centers and solving drinking water problems in some areas.
Leaving Politics
Govinda was often absent from parliament during his time as an MP. He also continued his acting career. Because of this, he was criticized by the media. On 20 January 2008, Govinda decided to leave politics to focus on his acting career. He later said that joining politics was a waste of his time and hurt his film career.
Joining Shiv Sena
In 2024, before the general elections, Govinda decided to join the Shiv Sena party. He was welcomed into the party by Eknath Shinde.
Music Career
Govinda has worked with many music directors and singers. Udit Narayan has sung over 100 songs for Govinda in more than 50 films. Other singers who have sung for him include Kishore Kumar and Sonu Nigam.
Govinda released his first music album, Govinda, in 1998. In 2013, he released his second album, Gori Tere Naina. He also wrote lyrics for some songs, like "I Love You Bol Daal" from Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999).
Personal Life
Govinda's brother, Kirti Kumar, was an actor, producer, director, and singer. His sister, Kaamini Khanna, was a writer, music director, and singer. Govinda married Sunita Munjal on 11 March 1987. Their marriage was kept secret for four years.
Govinda and Sunita have two children: a daughter named Narmada "Tina" Ahuja and a son named Yashvardhan. Tina made her acting debut in 2015. They also had another daughter who sadly passed away when she was very young.
Many of Govinda's relatives are also in the entertainment industry. These include his nephews Vinay Anand and Krushna Abhishek, and his nieces Ragini Khanna, Soumya Seth, and Aarti Singh.
On 5 January 1994, Govinda was seriously injured in a car accident. He hit his head and was bleeding a lot. But he still went to his film shoot and worked until midnight after seeing a doctor.
Awards and Recognition
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In 1999, a BBC News Online poll voted Govinda as the world's tenth-greatest star of stage or screen. In July 2016, he was named Actor of the Decade at the India Leadership Conclave in Mumbai.
Govinda has received 12 Filmfare Award nominations. He has also won a Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999). He received a special Filmfare Award for Saajan Chale Sasural (1996).
Filmography
