Come December, actor Govinda’s birthday month and the ghosts of his career come to haunt his admirers. Described as a complete entertainer, Govinda can emote, dance, cry and do comedy. An actor par excellence and a man widely misunderstood. It was his choice to hang up his boots and quit acting. He must have his reasons but never offered justifications. In the meantime, stories about him grew and grew. Some called him paranoid, others blamed his doctor and his family. Years passed by and then one day, Govinda returned to movies. He signed a few films and commenced shooting shortly.
Everyone was happy, the trade, his family and the media. I met him around this time, asked him, how it felt to stay away from the spotlight for so long? He took a long pause, said, “Our state of mind is determined by the positioning of our planets. When I was younger, I didn’t believe in these things but as I grew older certain incidents changed my mind. On the surface I appear calm, in fact that is what infuriates my co-stars. That I was forever to work and always smiling! Now I believe that a restlessness is necessary for creativity. The only way to excel is to be ruthless with yourself and I am trying, sincerely”.