Bhagam Bhag is your comeback vehicle, considering you have been away from showbiz too long to concentrate on politics.
It is God’s blessings that I am here again. Main woh sitara hoon jo paanch saal baadalon ke peeche tha (laughs). Salman Khan, Suniel Shetty, Akshay Kumar, Priyadarshan and the entire team of Bhagam Bhag are responsible for bringing me back to my first love, acting. We are all a family and they were all kind enough to give me my space here.
Was it easy or did you find drastic changes?
(laughs) Not really. But I was lucky that there were no pressures or demands from me. I could do a good job, the credit for which goes to the entire industry. Moreover, one has to change with the times.
For an actor, how satisfactory was it being in politcs?
I joined politics out of my own will and did some work that was very fulfilling to me as a person. In this field, one gets to meet different types of people and one has to learn to handle things tactfully. But it is only human to make mistakes. I have had to face some harsh realities but now it is time to repay those who have stood beside me in my times of crisis. Recently Subodhkant Sahay, Union Minister for Food & Processing Industries, announced my name as the official Brand Ambassador of the Bhojpuri Film Awards (BFA). So it is my duty to help the Bhojpuri film industry flourish in whatever capacity possible.
Coming to Bhagam Bhag, isn’t it true you replaced Suniel Shetty in the film?
Yes, I wasn’t the first choice for this role in Bhagam Bhag. Since the film is being made under the banner of Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd’s and Suniel’s Popcorn Entertainment, when he could not do the role, he offered it to me. I am someone who has never taken any help from anyone but I thought when God has given me a second chance, I have to be grateful and accept it gracefully.
I have always believed in ‘looking at negative things with a positive outlook’. I know this very well because in politics, each step taken is dangerous as people want to attack you at every single opportunity. I would never let anyone walk over me: the more you learn from your mistakes the better person you become.
Coming from David Dhawan’s camp, you must have found Priyadarshan’s school of acting very different. Both are poles apart. oth make comedies but they have their own genre and style. They have very different ideologies when it comes to making comedy films. While I have had 16 hits with David in my 20-year old career, Bhagam Bhag is my first film with Priyan.
So what was your experience with the director?
The first few days on the sets of Bhagam Bhag were very difficult for me as I could not understand what Priyan wanted from me. It took me three to four days to understand him and get into the flow. After close observation, I grasped his style of work. It was slow but gradually I developed confidence in his style and managed to give what he wanted. From then on, it was easy. I feel the hesitation was because I was under pressure of being an MP. Of course that is not an excuse for a pro actor who became a politician much, much later. Lekin meri duniya change ho gayi thi.
Do you feel David’s style has changed with the time?
His outlook, shooting style and presentation is exactly the same even today though he’s trying to gather and follow the pattern that is required today. He has managed to acknowledge, accept and balance both yesterday’s method and today’s technique in his stride and adjust with the times. Woh bahut samajdaar aadmi hain.
You are doing Partner with him next. Will we see the old Govinda-David magic again?
David will bring forth a new Govinda in Partner. Though the film is about the struggle a person goes through, it has been handled in a different way. It is a very refreshing subject.
Is comedy your karma?
You could say so. Clowning or imitating someone is very difficult - even the best of them may not be perfect if the timing is not right. Do you know that Charlie Chaplin, the king of comedy, has been kicked the maximum number of times by his co-stars and in his speech once, he said, “Every kick took me one step ahead”. I just want to follow his philosophy. I believe that if people laugh and enjoy inside the theatres, it is like a battle won.
How was it working with Akshay Kumar in Bhagam Bhag? It is your first film with him.
Akshay is fabulous. With time, he has proved himself and has become a wonderful actor. His hard work has paid him great dividends. In fact I enjoyed working with all the actors in Bhagam Bhag. I share a good rapport with them now.
You are also acting with Salman Khan for the first time in Salaam-E-Ishq.
Salman has been an easy star to work with and we have developed a good rapport now.
What do you have to say about the young director?
Nikhil Advani can be the next Ramesh Sippy. It is a very tough job to handle six different stories in one film but he has done it brilliantly. The film is slated for release in January 2007.
What was your experience doing Salaam-E-Ishq?
Since the film is about six couples, it was not easy to do it.
How was it to have a foreign actress opposite you for the first time?
Shannon Esrechowitz is a marvelous artiste; very stunning, sensational and with a quick grasping power. She hated giving more then three takes and if she did not get her act right within that time, she would burst into tears saying “I am a professional, how can I go wrong? I have to do my best”. When I told her that there are times when we give more than 10-12 takes, she was shocked and said, “In Africa, we have to get our act right instantly as we make small-budget films and cannot afford to waste money.” Shannon taught me the value of time.
Is that why Govinda, who is famous for his unpunctuality, is now commended for being on time?
Yes. I have now realised the importance of time. And reaching on time anywhere makes a lot of difference and because of your own sincerity, others respect you. Now I have begun to value my time and put in 14 hours of work. Ab mujhe isska nasha ho gaya hain.
You have never shirked from starring in multi-star films, including Bhagam Bhag and Salaam-E-Ishq .
That’s right. And like Bhagam Bhag, Salaam-E-Ishq too has shaped up very well. Multi-star films are fun. After these films, I think things are going to work for me as both had ample scope for performances.
You have been in the industry for quite a long time. What do you have to say about the present state of affairs?
I would say I am fortunate to be a part of the industry that is united, understanding and affectionate. Here everyone is a friend who looks after each other in times of happiness as well as crisis. I foresee a very strong tomorrow for our Hindi film industry.
And what do you think of the new generation of actors?
I feel they are all sincere, qualified, mature and truthful. They work too hard and it is a good thing for cinema. See what a revolution Krrish and Dhoom 2 has brought in. It is a good beginning and we can expect some very good films from India and now we can really compete with International films.
Will we get to see more of Govinda now that you have put on your working shoes again?
Definitely. I have some good films coming; after Salaam-E-Ishq and Partner, there is Priyan’s Chal Chala Chal.
Lately, your pal Sanjay Dutt has been in the news. Do you support him?
Of course. God had done justice to Sanju. His family has faced a lot of trials and tribulations and thankfully it has now been cleared of a huge burden. The way Sanju has handled the situation was possible only because he was Sunil Dutt’s son. It is really sad that Sunilji is not here to see things for himself but I am sure Sanju has his blessings. Baap to baap hota hi hain but this time the entire industry is with him. I want to reiterate that Sanjay Dutt is not a criminal, but an artiste.
Finally what do you enjoy the most; politics or films?
Actually both. But politics mein apne thoughts ko reserved rakhna padtha hain. Lekin woh bhi ek family hain like the film industry.