Good, Good,
GOVINDA

THE good that Govinda has done for all his near and dear ones will gain him more than all the punya (good) he keeps praying for every day. It was his mother’s wish that he do good to as many people as was possible for him. He followed her teachings while she was alive. He continues to follow her teachings because he knows and believes his mother is watching him take every step from wherever she is.

It all started when Govinda’s mama Anand brought him from Virar. He encouraged him by signing him as the leading man of a film called Tan Badan and then introduced him to several other producers who encouraged him, inspired him. Govinda didn’t grow into an ungrateful nephew when he became a star. He was the leading man of all the films made by Anand mama till Anand mama died very young, died under tragic circumstances.

Govinda then helped his brother, Kirti Kumar, who was a struggling actor once. He helped him stand on his own feet and make it as a director with Hatya. Kirti also directed Radha Ka Sangam as a home production and Do Aankhen Baarah Haath in which he made his childhood friend Shashi Prabhu a producer. Shashi was more than a friend to Govinda because his mother always treated Shashi as her third son. Kirti has just completed two more films with Govinda, Aunty No. 1 and Naseeb then there is Praveen Khanna, Govinda’s brother-in-law who took off as a producer with Beta Ho To Aisa who thanked Govinda.

Govinda recognised the writing talent of his sister Kamini (Praveen’s wife) and went out of his way to help her keep writing. She has already got two books published. Her last collection of short stories, Nirnay was released some time ago at a grand function which was attended by a galaxy of greats including Amitabh Bachchan. Govinda is now going all out to promote his nephew Vinay Anand as a leading man. There are so many other uncles and aunts and nephews and friends and friend’s children who are "made" by this Chi Chi in some way or the other. He has gone out of his way to find ways and means to get his near and dear ones into films. He also helps all those he believes deserve help. He has "made" producers, directors, artists and even production boys and spotboys and they are all very grateful to him, their "Chi Chi Baba". His home, right now, is a market place lined up with producers waiting for him to bless them with his blessings which are blended with the blessings of his mother, like he always says.

Chi Chi knows his problem, which is his only problem which is time. For the umpteen time he has vowed to keep up his promise with time. He has once again decided to shoot films at a stretch. Like right now he has decided to complete films within three months without thinking about how the producer would finalise the other starcast and find the money to make his film in three months. Govinda, however, has stuck to his decision and is working according to it.

The entire industry is unanimous in one thing about Govinda. They say that the day Govinda brings a little discipline into his life and career, he will be what he is, one of the greatest natural actors of Hindi cinema.

PS: Govinda has just come up with a series of ideas which will be of help to both the industry and his fans in general. He is working them out with a team of genuine advisors for a change. May their ideas take a positive shape which can change the shape of a part of the world.


Ali Peter John