'GOVINDA': THE MOST UNDER-RATED ACTOR IN HINDI CINEMA

  

                      ‘GOVINDA’: THE MOST UNDER-RATED ACTOR

 Hindi film industry is very unsympathetic. It worships only the rising-stars, and not the performers. But, with the recent changes in the trend, there is certainly a space for good actors. However, in the light of stardom and glamour, some good actors and very capable actors lose their efficacy and flicker. One such actor is Govinda.   I bet, the ones born- in late eighties or early-nineties (including me) must have grown up watching his flicks. He is infact one of the most under-rated actors in the country, and possibly more in his era. We have dejected him beyond the 'comedy hero' tag. He has been a trend-setter, but due to the changing times and trends, space for his type of roles and characters have drifted apart. Though, he has enjoyed his stardom and fame. But, when it came to raise him above the level of a high-rated actor or 'star' it was never done. There was a time when Mr. Amitabh Bachchan (as the story goes) had to approach Govinda personally for doing a role alongside in 'Bade Miyan, Chote Miyan' and it worked. It gave a boost to Mr Bachchan's going dim career.  'Bade miyan to Bade the, par Chote Miyan…….. ka kya hua, yeh to aap jaante hi hain’.

It is an irony that actors starting their career or wishing to trade in a particularly genre get known for altogether a different genre. Govinda started in the industry, playing serious roles, a poor man, victim of circumstances. But, later on, came to be known for comic roles. There are other major examples of the same. Shah Rukh Khan never wanted to be the king of romance, Sunny Deol never wanted to be an action-hero or “angry man”, Sunil Shetty never wanted to be an action-hero. Govinda’s earlier flicks such as Hatya, Ilzaam, Swarg, Shola aur Shabnam, Hathkadi had him playing serious and dramatic roles. He was appreciated for the roles he played and all these get mentions among his notable roles.

But, mid-nineties, late nineties and earlier two-thousands was seeing an actor(Govinda) grow alongside. King of Romance, Shah Rukh was enamouring the youth generation, especially metro-youths, Aamir was playing chocolaty and sensible(Sarfarosh), till we saw him turning a giant post-Lagaan, Salman was the inspiration of villages and towns, courtesy his body and looks. Ajay Devgn was impressing with his expressions and performances, Anil Kapoor was doing well as always, Akshay Kumar trading in his Khiladi-stints and showcasing his comic skills also, Sanjay Dutt playing innocent-lover and Bhai, Sunny Deol playing the angry-man, Jackie Shroff playing a major supporting role, Saif Ali struggling to come out of his cramped image, and he finally broke it after 'Dil Chahta Hai'. And Govinda playing his usual chord alongside. Infact, there were a few new-comers during the period. For instance, Bobby Deol, Akshaye Khanna, Arshad Warsi, Mukul Deo, Chandrachud Singh, Fardeen Khan, and many of them after  Hrithik Roshan's ingress. 

The best traits in Govinda have been his timing, expressions (especially facial), flow, dialogue-delivery (though, a bit fast), dancing skills (though, it has been more fashioned towards thumkas, latkas and jhatkas), portraying the character with ease and precision, wearing the character with simplicity (his outfit was colourful and a bit-shabby, awfully red, yellow, blue, and that defined Govinda). In one aspect, we can say that Govinda reminded us of Rajesh Khanna, though we cannot compare them. The latter is a legend, though could not become an institution. The simple reason of their comparison is simple, their movies gave us a reason to smile. In the current context, it is said that a glimpse of Govinda is seen in Varun Dhawan.  It is said, that now quality in Hindi film industry has developed and there is a change in the Hindi-film industry as a whole. The content in the movies in the times of Govinda, were repetitive, predictable, monotonous. Now, there is variety in the content, movies are being made for the masses as well as niche audience, there are alternatives to choose in from the subjects. But, it is also true that in those times, there were performances and acting which swept us away and continues to do so(even today, when we watch them). In those times, there was a central-figure, the hero, his lady-love, the heroine, always holding the sides of hero, the supporting actor, a badass villain, a healthy comedian.    

Though, Govinda is not my favourite actor, but I have been his admirers. Some of his roles surely must have entertained the masses to the core. They would be lying, if they say that he has not been entertaining. The role of ‘Monu’ and more importantly ‘Chacha ji’ in Haseena Maan Jaayegi is impeccable. No one could do justice to the role as he did. Then, ‘Raja’ of Dulhe Raja is an epic, lovable 'Raja Babu' in Raja Babu, ‘Raju’ of Hero No. 1 truly won our hearts, then naughty yet lovable ‘Pyare Mohan’/ ‘Chote’ Miyan’ of Bade Miyan, Chote Miyan(double-role), captivating double-roles in Saajan Chale Sasural and Anari No. 1, interesting ‘Bunnu’ in Deewana-Mastana, entertaining ‘Vijay’ in Aankhein, ‘Raju’ in Coolie No. 1, Chhote Sarkar, ‘Veeru’ in Jodi No. 1, promising role in Gambler,  and lately ‘Bhaskar Diwakar Chowdhary’ in Partner. Though his roles in later stage of his career have also been enjoyable, though they have not been successful.

'Virar Ka Chokra'  has come a long way and struggled a lot to earn a place in this unsympathetic and awfully competitive industry and from there to his unsuccessful stint in politics. He has earned fame, money, stardom, love, fan-following, acclamation, accolades. On the other hand, he has also been miffed in controversies, rumoured relationships with actresses like Neelam, Karisma Kapoor, Raveena Tandon, Rani Mukherjee, alleged links with the underworld(there was some report), being unpunctual and coming late on the sets, reports of misbehaviour. That is other part of the story. There are certain reasons for his downfall. His strong-points  became his weakness(like the first superstar of the industry, Rajesh Khanna), failure to handle publicity and stardom, his repetitive attributes, failure to cope in with the changing times and themes of the industry, oncoming of newcomers, change in the art and theme, where he unfitted. But, surely, he has and will continue to hold a place in the hearts and minds of Hindi cinema-lovers. We have all admired and loved ‘Chichi Bhaiya’ and surely no one can replace him.