Govinda was a major hit in the 1990s. However, his career took a downturn over time. Even the successful film Partner in 2007, a blockbuster, couldn’t bring back his stardom. Producer Pahlaj Nihalani, who worked with Govinda on films like Aankhen, Ilzaam, and Shola Aur Shabnam, claimed that people in the industry sabotaged the actor’s career.
Nihalani told PinkVilla, “After Partner, everything went against him. He didn’t get any films after that. Many of his big films got shut down, including one with Priyanka Chopra. If someone stabs you in the back, there’s not even a single mark left behind. You don’t even get to know. So, he has been stabbed in the back many times.”
He also addressed rumors about Govinda’s punctuality, saying, “It was the truth. Even after Rangeela Raja (2019), many big producers asked me if Govinda ever annoyed me, but I denied. He used to come and go back on time. It’s a rumour that he comes late. He has shot for me at 6 am in the morning. He was never late beyond the assigned time.”
Nihalani criticized the lack of loyalty in Bollywood, stating, “There are no friends in Bollywood. Time par dost hai, time ke baad nahi hai. Koi kisi ka apna nahi hai. If someone’s film flops, people throw parties.” He also supported Govinda’s wife, Sunita Ahuja, who said people around the actor held him back. Nihalani agreed, “She is not wrong, she is right. These pundits destroyed his career.”
Reflecting on his approach, Nihalani added, “It is wrong to advise anyone. Giving advice to someone means keeping your own self below them. Sachai bolna aur sachai sunna, bahut bada farak hai. I will never say anything wrong about Govinda as an actor and as a person. His thought process is at fault sometimes.”
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