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Wednesday July 4, 05:21 PM Govinda


Govinda has changed. Gone are the days when he kept the media away and refrained answering questions. In a frank interview, he talks about his weight loss, new look, kids and forthcoming films.

Your next release is not PARTNER?

Right. My next release is JAHAN JAAEYEGA HUME PAAEYEGA. It is releasing on July 6. It is my family's film. Lakhan Sinha (Shatrughan's brother) has produced the film. All my nephews- Janmendra, Krishna and Vinay- are involved in the film. Janmendra has directed the film and Krishna and Vinay have acted in it.


Have you put money in it?

No.

JJHP got delayed...

We had a few problems and the film had got delayed. But it has turned out very well. I recommend this film to the youth of this country to understand that greed and anger is useless and harmful. Mind you, it's not a preachy film. It's very entertaining.

We heard, you are planning to have a new look with a hair transplant?

Yes. I am going in for a hair transplant.


When and where are you planning to get it done?

I am planning to get it done in September. I have worked out my dates and kept myself free from shooting. Salman Khan's doctor is coming to Dubai. The surgery will be conducted in Dubai. I have spoken to the doctor.

But why a hair transplant when you are not balding?

Yes, I am not balding. But when I work in very airy conditions on outdoor locales, my hair spreads a lot and I do have a problem. Plus, I intend keeping long hair (smiles).

You are looking fitter and younger...

I had become 107 kilos when SUKH released. I had become like a South Indian comedian. Bahut gaaliyan padi, ghar se bhi aur bahar se bhi. So, I built a gym at home. I got all the hi-tech machines and I exercise at least two hours every day, followed by yoga for 30 minutes. I am on the treadmill for half hour. I also skip a lot, at least 1500 skips a day. Of course, I am keeping a check on my diet. I have managed to lose 22 kg and now I weigh 85 kg. I want to reduce to 75 kg and I will do it. I think I should achieve that in the next two or three months.

Were you 75 kg at any stage in your life?

Yes. I was 75 kg when I acted in ILZAAM.

Do you have a personal trainer?

Not right now. But Shyam Rathi was my trainer at one point in my career. I remember all his instructions and I am following those now.

Tell us about PARTNER.

PARTNER is a full fledged comedy. I am very happy with the film. It has turned out marvelous. David Dhawan has done a great job. I did not expect that I'll get such a great role. Looking at the length of my role, you will not feel that it is Salman's home production.

But you did get a raw deal in BHAGAM BHAG. It was said that Akshay Kumar had your role chopped...

I don't think so. Frankly, I am not looking at such things now. I am back and I want to make the most of it with a positive frame of mind.

Don't you rate SALAM-E-ISHQ as your comeback film rather than BHAGAM BHAG? You literally stole the show from everybody in the climax scene...

Thanks for the compliment. But the success of BHAGAM BHAG was very important. That started it all. Main jeet gaya. Kitne vote se jita woh parvah nahin karneka (laughs). As for SALAM-E-ISHQ, Nikhil Advani (director) gave me a lot of free hand, and at the same time, did not allow me to go over the top. So, that helped.

Your friendship with Salman Khan is the talk of the town. You had worked with him earlier also. How come you'll click so much so late?

I think we respected each other a lot, even before. It was just waiting to come out.

Are you in touch with him everyday?

Yes. He is a buddy and family to me now.

Bollywood friendships have a tendency to go bust. Are you scared?

I don't see this friendship going that way. I have left in the hands of God.

Which are the other films you are doing?

Apart from Dhawan's film, I am doing a Ravi Chopra film.

You are also doing a film with Sohail Khan where you have been paid Rs 1.5 crores?

Frankly, I don't discuss money with Sohail. Recently, he gifted a Mercedes to my wife (Sunita). Bahut pyaara aadmi hai. We keep talking about how to increase my price. As for the Rs 1.5 crores, I am getting that for Dhawan's next. I am beginning to get my price now (smiles).

You came out on the streets in the deluge on Saturday. People said that you did that because you received a lot of flak for not doing that on 26/7?

When you are in politics, you meet all kinds of people- rone wale, gaane waale and bajane wale. Why don't people talk about my work which I put in to solve the water problem in my constituency? Why don't people talk about the new railway line which begins very soon and will initiate new trains from Virar to Borivli, Andheri and Bandra? Just because I did that work quietly?

Your daughter Narmada is grown up now. What does she want to become in life?

She wants to act and become a heroine. For some time, she will assist Rakesh Roshan. She wants to start from the grassroots level, by learning the intricacies of film-making.

What about your son Yash?

(Smiles) He will become an actor. Kahaan jayega? Main banaunga usko hero.