Both Manoj and Harmesh have had their share of Govinda problems during the making of their films but ask them to speak honestly about Govinda and their honest confession is that an actor of his calibre and versatility does not exist in the Mumbai industry and what’s more he is so charming and lovable as a person especially when he knows he has upset some body that the troubles he has caused simply dissolve into a haze in the final analysis.

For Harmesh Malhotra the making of Dulhe Raja has been an experience to remember largely because of Govinda.

“I will not say that he did not give me problems. He did. Like the time I discussed a Ram Leela enactment with him and then organised two days’ shooting for the scene involving a large crew and junior artistes and at the last minute he reversed his decision to play Ravan in it because he felt he just couldn’t play the evil Ravan.

“He was so strong in his conviction about his decision not to play Ram that he convinced me and I cancelled the filming without any regrets.

“I suffered a loss of Rs 10 lakhs but I took it in my stride because I knew that if he was not happy about what he was doing he’d not perform to his satisfaction or mine.

“Govinda is a very sensitive and emotional person. He is like a child at heart. Once he is convinced about what he has to do before the camera he is amazing. He can surpass any artiste in the industry,” says Harmesh.

Govinda describes Dulhe Raja as a wholesome entertainer.

“When Harmeshji told me that he had a subject that could interest me. I expected to hear something serious and intense from him. He is a senior director and one has come to associate him with films like Nagina. So I was prepared to hear something very serious from him.

“What Harmeshji narrated to me was a humourous subject and it appealed to me immensely. But I wondered if he’d be able to make an amusing film. I had got used to David Dhawan’s style of narration I guess. David is one hell of a narrator, you’ know.

“When we went on the floors there were surprises galore for me. Each situation was a challenge for me and I can say with pride and confidence that Harmeshji has made me do the kind of comedy that provides good clean fun and something to think about as well.”

The story of Dulhe Raja revolves round a five star hotel owner and a dhaba owner. The rich who come to the city check into the fivestar hotel but they have their meals at the dhaba. This irks the owner of the fivestar hotel and he tries every method he knows to get the dhaba uprooted from where it is illegally located. To make matters worse the rich hotelier’s glamorous daughter is in love with the dhaba owner.

The fivestar chap is none other than Kader Khan while the dhaba is owned by Govinda. The comedy evolves from the clash between the two.

At the moment Govinda is attempting a change of screen image, according to inside reports from the industry so I question him on that.

He says: “I am revising my screen image because I have done enough of comedy. I want to prove that I am not just a comic actor. If I am asked to rate my films I’ll rate Hatya as my best film to date. I derived more satisfaction from the work I did in Hatya than in any other film.

“Among my forthcoming movies I count Naseeb as a film that will reveal the actor in me.”

Govinda has also decided to take fewer movies into consideration as this year ends. For once this enormously gifted actor feels that his true potential has remained untapped and the time has come for him to take his work and his positioning as an actor-star seriously.

“A film like Maharaja will always come to entertain my fans and also to sit up and take notice me as an actor. The film is well made and Anil Sharma will be recognised as a versatile director when it is released,” says Govinda.

This year Govinda-watchers will also get to see him sharing acclaim with Amitabh Bachchan in Bade Miya Chote Miya, directed by his favourite director David Dhawan. Confessedly he is at his best when working with David Dhawan because work is coupled with fun. He is also thrilled about working with N Chandra in Shikari. The film presents him in a new light, he claims.

His long cherished dream of playing the lead in a pure love story is also being realised with the launching of Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain, the subject of which is being unofficially credited to Sooraj Barjatya in industry circles.

“The film is being directed by Nabh Kumar `Raju' who was an assistant to Sooraj Barjatya. It is only natural that the guru’s influence will be pervading the film,” says Govinda.

The box-office setback that Aunty No 1 and Achanak has temporarily brought to his career does not bother him. The films lined up for release in the second half of the year are more than promising, he feels.

“What’s important is that Naresh Malhotra made an interesting film. Achanak had a different flavour and for me it was a change of pattern. He is imaginative and had the courage to present Govinda in a different mould. The film did not give the viewers the thrill of guessing because the revelations come too early in the story. That’s the only flaw and it pulled the film down at the box-office,” he reasons.

Govinda is excited about the Kuku Kohli film, Anari No 1. The film has an interesting story line backed up by emotional strength, he grins.