Govinda, the actor known for his comic timing and memorable roles in the 90s, has always been in the spotlight for both his on-screen performances and off-screen relationships. One of the most talked-about bonds from his career was the strong collaboration he shared with filmmaker David Dhawan. Together, they gave Bollywood a string of hit movies, including Saajan Chale Sasural, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Hero No. 1, and Raja Babu. However, over the years, their friendship soured, leaving fans wondering what went wrong.
In a recent interview, Govinda’s wife, Sunita Ahuja, finally broke her silence on the strained relationship between the actor and the director. Sunita, who has always been protective of her husband’s image, revealed the hidden dynamics behind the rift.
She started by sharing her respect for David Dhawan, calling him “like a father” to her. According to Sunita, there was a time when the bond between the two was unbreakable. They had mutual respect and admiration for each other. However, as time passed, things changed. Sunita pointed out that the 1990s were a different era in Bollywood, and the industry was full of people who were eager to create drama and stir up trouble.
“There were a lot of people around them who were more interested in causing misunderstandings than in supporting the partnership,” Sunita said. “When you’re surrounded by negative people, you’re bound to absorb their negativity. It happens to everyone. The way people around Govinda started planting seeds of doubt, especially in his mind, made matters worse.”
The crux of the issue, according to Sunita, was a misunderstanding that arose from a conversation David Dhawan had with Govinda. In the 90s, solo-hero films were the big trend in Bollywood. However, over time, this changed. David reportedly suggested to Govinda that the era of solo-hero films was waning. He advised Govinda to take up second-lead roles, which he believed could still be significant and impactful. For example, David pointed to Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, where Govinda played a secondary role but still delivered a memorable performance.
However, those around Govinda weren’t receptive to this suggestion. They fueled his ego, constantly reminding him that he was the hero and deserved the top billing in every movie. “They told him, ‘You’re the hero, not a second-lead!’ It made him upset, and that’s when the rift started to form,” Sunita explained.
Despite David Dhawan’s well-meaning advice, people in Govinda’s circle played a large role in creating friction. Sunita admits that these so-called “well-wishers” made Govinda feel as though he was being pushed into roles that were beneath his stature. This, according to her, led to the breakdown in their friendship. “I get angry when I think about how things turned out,” she confessed.
It’s clear that Sunita believes that if the right people had been around Govinda at the time, the situation might have been different. Instead, the negative influences around him made him question his career choices and his relationship with David.
As of now, it’s unclear whether Govinda and David Dhawan will ever reconcile. The two have not worked together in recent years, and there has been little indication that their relationship has improved. Sunita remains hopeful, but she also acknowledges that time and circumstances have changed, and so has the industry.
As for Govinda, Sunita says that he is still stuck in the 90s, holding on to the glory of his past success. “He hasn’t let go of the way things were,” she remarked. Whether this nostalgia will ever give way to new beginnings, only time will tell. But for now, it seems that both Govinda and David Dhawan are moving in different directions, with their once-great partnership now a chapter in the history of Bollywood.
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