Salman's help surprised me: Govinda

Govinda returns to Bollywood this Friday (December 22) with 'Bhaganm Bhag'. Read on for his heart-to-heart chat with TWF correspondent Vickey Lalwani on the eve of the film's release.

You return to Bollywood with Bhagam Bhag after four years. How does it feel?
It feels great. I want to make a successful comeback. I am nervous but I am hopeful. I am happy to see that my wife (Sunita) stands beside me in my moment of trial.

The producers of Ashtavinayak are throwing a party on December 21, which is my birthday and one day before the release of 'Bhagam Bhag'. Sunita is personally inviting the guests. My kids cannot conceal their excitement.

My daughter Narmada is 17 years old and hence knows what is happening, but for my 10-year old son Yashvardhan, 'Bhagam Bhag' is just like my first film.

Whom do you particularly thank for your comeback?
David Dhawan and Salman Khan. See, everybody knew that politics is my second profession and I hadn't gone away from anywhere, but film offers completely dried up. Someone had to put up his hand and say 'I want to work with Govinda'.

Salman and David (he offered me 'Partner') were the only ones who came forward. Frankly, David's help did not surprise me; we go back a long way. But Salman's consideration did. I drive the Mercedes he gifted me to most of my shootings and social get-togethers.

What is 'Bhagam Bhag' about?
Paresh Rawal has a theatre group in India and he performs shows all over the country. Akshay and I along with others are actors in the group. Both are very naughty guys who never miss any chance to flirt with girls, even the girls in the group.

At the completion of one show, an organizer offers Paresh's group to perform 30 shows in England. They all get very excited but as per the contract they need to leave for England on the same day. Unfortunately the heroine of the play opts out due to Akshay's misbehavior (pauses). I can't tell you more.

Did politics hamper your career?
Not really. It was just a coincidence that when I plunged into politics, film offers dried up. Yes, I had a big lull in my career. I had no work for three and half years.

You have had a rough passage in politics?
(Shrugs). Some senior people of India chose me to fight against Ram Naik. I complied, simply because I wanted to join myself with some good and reliable families of this country. But soon, I found that I was fighting a lone battle.

Even your security has been reduced...
Yes. But what to do? Today, my security is Uparwallah (God). I have been born and brought up in Virar (in Mumbai). I am not scared. If I was a darpok (coward), I wouldn't have fought Ram Naik. If I was a darpok, I wouldn't have become an actor.

While all your three return films have Salman Khan, why you aren't being considered with Sanju with whom you were a hit duo?
We gave three successful films in a row- 'Jodi No.1', 'Haseena Maan Jayegi', 'Ek Aur Ek Gyarah'. But today, Sanju has gone in a different genre. He is doing comedy films, which are serious at the same time- like the Munnabhai series for example.

And, I am doing roles mostly which will cater to purely the masses- 'Salam-E-Ishq', 'Bhagam Bhag' and 'Partner'. I would love to do another film with Sanju.

Your first production 'Sukh' bombed at the box-office. Will you produce another film?
I don't know whether I'll produce another film, but agar kiya, then I will put only panch paisa from my ek rupaiya, not the full rupaiya like I did last time. I lost a lot of money in 'Sukh'. I almost sold my bungalow after that.