Namita Nivas Posted online: Friday , July 25, 2008 at 1332 hrs
Money Hai Toh Honey Hai has Govinda doing what he is best at - comedy
What is the name of your character in Money Hai Toh Honey Hai?
I play Bobby who wants to enjoy life and make a lot of money. He is of the opinion that money gets you the good things in life.
Do you feel that it’s true of real life too?
A lot of things happen in life. But this feeling is generally seen in youngsters and students who have no money or very little for enjoyment. There is frustration as they cannot settle down in life. Ladki bhi nahin milti, in such cases. There is struggle all the time, be it for employment, girl or marriage. Nothing is easily available. (laughs).
You are the badshah of comedy. How different is MHTHH from all your earlier comedy films?
Lately I have decided to experiment with my roles. I do it like it’s a naukri. I try not to get too involved in the project yet give my 100 per cent to it. I ensure that it is sold at a good price and also recovers its cost. The message that the film conveys is that everyone should join hands to do something creative and share whatever is available ultimately.
When the casting for MHTHH was being done, the makers were insisting that I take it up because I had refused their previous film Swami. I had initially refused MHTHH as well. But Ganesh was adamant and he managed to convince me to do it. Idid the film only for him. MHTHH is total fun. All of us enjoyed making of this film.
Is it true that you played a lot of pranks on your co-stars?
I am a very shy person (laughs). Actually every evening after pack-up everyone made six packs.
Everyone was into work-outs, is it?
No I mean six pegs (laughs aloud) but everyone was sincerely at work on time the next morning.
You are well-known for never being punctual on the sets. But you made amends for MHTHH ?
Yes, on two occasions I was on the sets before the director. In fact, I reached even before the safaiwallah came. I was very happy that I had to wait for Ganesh. It was a different experience. All my directors will be shocked to hear this and will wonder about this change and why it didn’t happen earlier. (laughs)
As a dance director, Ganesh has choreographed several of your songs. How did you find him as a film director?
I believe that you have to respect the calibre of your director. Ganesh respects me a lot and so he gave me creative freedom. He was even open to suggestions. He is known to be a very good dance director and now as a film director, he is in the process of proving that he can make it work. He has a lot of energy. There is a lot of freshness in MHTHH. As far of improvement in direction is concerned there is no limit to learning.
I have been in the film industry for 24 years now but even today I learn so many new things. Goddess Saraswati is so vishal, so huge that even the ocean feels small compared to Her.
You have been paired with a very young heroine. What do you have to say to that?
I was also a little apprehensive and I told Ganesh that. He appreciated my concern but said it was Hansika’s wish to work with me. Though not very convinced, I changed my mind when I saw her acting. I saw the potential in her and my fears were put to rest. What’s more important is the communication and the timing of the person opposite you that gets translated onto the screen.
For an actor of your calibre, there are a lot of expectations. Have you adapted to the new age?
One never knows what clicks with the audience. One can just go with the flow. As for jelling with the new age, I am learning too fast that I am getting tired now. I am doing a lot of films. And I shall be the first hero, after a long time, to give six releases in a span of one year. The process of learning in this year has been so vast that I cannot express it in words. Every day has been a learning experience.
You are repeatedly saying that lately you got to learn a lot. Elaborate.
You will notice a new, changed and polished Govinda in the films to come. I say it has been a learning experience for me because today I see things with a different vision. I feel this phase is like my new beginning as an actor in the film industry. This is my aagaman and my comeback.
But people consider you an institution.
I don’t know what has come over them! (laughs). I feel in this one year Goddess Saraswati has been very pleased with me and has bestowed all her love on me.
There are two prominent types of comedy schools in the industry; of David Dhawan and Priyadarshan. What difference do you find in their films?
There is definitely a vast difference in the treatment. But if you notice all the films that David Dhawan has made till date have mostly found their base in the South and they have all been superhits. He made Aankhen from Do Phool. Rasakutty became Raja Babu, Chinna Thambi was remade as Hero No 1 and Haseena Man Jayegi was a take off from Pyar Kiye Jaa. Biwi No 1 was also a remake. Priyadarshan also makes films based from the South.
Do you believe in imitating other actors?
What is wrong in that? I am copying everybody all the time. It is just a matter of learning from others.
You were one of the first film stars to get into television with Jeeto Chappar Phaad Ke. Are you open to more shows again?
Money hai toh honey hai. (laughs) When there is money why not do it?
Do you believe in blogging that is the in-thing today?
I feel since everyone is into it, I better stay away from it. (laughs)
What are the films in the pipeline?
I have Ravi Chopra’s Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai, Loot, Chal Chalachal, David Dhawan’s Do Not Disturb, Jagmohan Mundhra’s film tentatively titled Excuse Me Please, Chai Garam, Life Partner and a film for Sohail Khan.
Your daughter Narmada is now taking her first steps in Bollywood. What are your aspirations for her?
After Nammo met with an accident, she went into depression. I wanted to see her happy and so I decided to do anything for that. She too is trying her best and will soon be going to London to take lessons in acting. Fortunately, unlike me, she will not have to go through the rigours of a struggler.
What about your son Yash?
He is still too young to decide for himself but since the time I joined politics, he has faced facts of life from close quarters and now I feel he is like a grown-up boy who knows his mind.
You have also faced a lot of controversies not only on the professional front but also personally.
This is what fame does to you. You have to learn to take it in your stride.