What’s wrong with Govinda? Inside the actor’s recent antics

Bollywood's once most bankable star, Govinda, is back in the headlines, but not quite the way one would hope. After years of near invisibility from the big screen, the veteran actor seems to be scrambling for relevance, and in doing so, he's caught the public eye for all the wrong reasons. From bizarre interviews and strange claims to eyebrow-raising social media posts and now a viral video that's sparked backlash, the question everyone's asking is- what exactly is going on with Govinda?

The Bumpy Road to "Duniyadari"

Let's start with what should have been good news: Govinda's comeback film. After more than five years of cinematic absence, he recently took to Instagram to announce that he's working on a new project titled Duniyadari. In the video, he was seen practicing his classic dance moves in a studio, dressed to the nines in a black suit, a pendant swinging from his neck, cool sunglasses shielding his eyes, and yes, a new moustache that had fans doing a double-take. But instead of applause, confusion followed. Was this a real comeback or just another round of Govinda's unpredictable showbiz experiments? The dance was nostalgic, sure, but the vibe was off, too forced, too staged, too desperate.

The Moustache & The "Creepy" Flight Video

What added fuel to this perception was the now-viral video of Govinda from what appears to be a flight. In the clip, he's seen resting his head on the shoulder of a young girl seated beside him while taking a selfie video. The girl looks visibly awkward. The context of the video is still unclear; some believe it's staged for a shoot, others say it's candid. But clarity didn't matter. The damage was done.

The internet, especially Reddit users, called him out for being "creepy," "weird," and "cringe." Some wondered if it was even him or a lookalike, given how dramatically his appearance has changed. Jokes like "his duplicate looks more like Govinda than Govinda himself" and "Ashish Chanchlanification of Govinda" began doing the rounds.

Outlandish Claims & The "Avatar" Interview

The flight incident wasn't even the first eyebrow-raiser. In March, Govinda appeared in a YouTube interview with fellow actor Mukesh Khanna where he made a string of bizarre claims, most notably that he rejected Avatar and even gave James Cameron the film's title. According to him, he turned down the Hollywood mega-project despite being offered Rs 18 crores because he didn't want to paint his body and shoot for 410 days.

What was intended to impress ended up sounding more like fiction than fact? The internet was divided; some laughed it off as harmless Govinda-ism, while others questioned if he was losing touch with reality.

Sunita Ahuja's Silence (and Subtle Sass)

Adding another layer to the chaos is the chatter around Govinda's personal life. Rumours of a divorce between him and his wife Sunita Ahuja have been swirling for months. While neither party has confirmed the split, Sunita's recent reaction to being asked whether Govinda would ever join the reality show The Traitors speaks volumes. "It would be a big deal if Govinda even does a film first," she quipped, pointing out that he hasn't found a decent script in years.

The line was sharp, real, and hinted at something fans have long suspected: maybe Govinda doesn't quite know what he's doing anymore.

All of this paints a messy picture. Govinda, once the king of comedy and charisma, now seems to be oscillating between nostalgia and confusion. His appearances feel more performative than purposeful. His interviews are full of wild, unverifiable stories. His dance videos and new moustache make him look like he's trying too hard to catch up with an industry that has long moved on. And his latest attempts to go viral are being seen less as marketing genius and more as desperate ploys.

He's not the only yesteryear star to attempt a comeback, but unlike others who've leaned into character roles or embraced mentorship positions, Govinda appears to be stuck in a loop, trying to recreate an era that's long gone, without adapting to the present.

The Final Act?

The problem isn't that Govinda wants to return. The problem is how he's choosing to do it. His approach feels scattered, with no clear strategy or artistic direction. Is he trying to become an influencer? An OTT regular? A viral star? Or just the old Govinda again? Until he answers that question for himself, audiences will keep seeing these antics as erratic rather than endearing.

Govinda is still a legend. His contributions to Hindi cinema, from Coolie No. 1 to Hero No. 1 cannot be denied. If Duniyadari is truly his comeback, it better come with more clarity, humility, and restraint. The audience may forgive a moustache, a weird interview, or even a flight video, but only if there's substance behind the show.

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