I've been targeted for good work: Govinda

Dec 23, 2007 Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, Dec 24 (IANS) He is not doing full time politics anymore but big screen's gag bag Govinda, who had people in splits in "Partner", says that he hasn't quit politics permanently.

"I've severed all relations with undesirable elements. I met (Congress chief) Soniaji and told her I wanted to work towards improving my own constituency. Now I want to restrict myself to my constituency. Now I find the clouds around me dispersing. I want to get as close to nature as possible," Govinda told IANS in an interview.

"I've been targeted for trying to do good work, but I won't give up. I'm trying my best to go beyond all nuisance around me," said Govinda who plans to do solo roles soon.

"Please treat my three films 'Bhagam Bhag', "Salaam-e-Ishq" and David's 'Partner' as stepping-stones. I feel I'll be carrying films on my own shoulders shortly."

Excerpts:

Are you in or out of politics?

I'm like water. My temperature depends on the atmosphere. Things around me had become so volatile I couldn't function properly. In Indian politics deception seems a by-word. I'll have none of that. From now on I want to be a part of only those factions that believe in decency and hard work. That applies to both cinema and politics. I've severed all relations with undesirable elements. I met Soniaji and told her I want to work towards improving my own constituency. Now I find the clouds around me dispersing. I want to get as close to nature as possible.

Why was there so little of you in your comeback film "Bhagam Bhag"?

My intention was to make a comeback at any cost. I wasn't finding a way out anywhere. Salman Khan and David Dhawan were the first to offer me solace. Then came Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar. I never bothered with how I was treated. I just needed to return. I didn't want to be caught up in any more problems. At least I found a place back in the industry.

Akshay seems to be playing the kind of roles you used to do.

I believe every actor gets some chance or the other to show his capability. I had one long scene in "Bhagam Bhag" and I was happy with that. An enlightened viewer knows when it comes to getting into character - Kamal Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan are the kings. To a certain extent you find Abhishek getting into character. How many actors today have the capability to go beyond characters? I feel I've done whatever I could. I think I'm quite okay in "Bhagam Bhag".

I feel you were treated unfairly in "Bhagam Bhag".

Shall I tell you frankly? These things do happen. I don't want to think of these things. I don't want any actor to be scared thinking Govinda will eat him up. I want to achieve my target of again doing solo heroes. Sure I've started at the bottom rung. But that's where everyone has to start.

You were accused of fraternising with the underworld in Dubai.

I know. I wonder what happened to that so-called scandal! Artists are already wary souls. How much more cautious can one be? For 17 years I haven't gone anywhere in the Middle East. Imagine how much money I'd have earned. God knows what force stopped me but now I'm planning to have a show in the Middle East. No one can stop me. Very soon I'll make my announcement.

Will you have time for any politics after so many films?

A person can have time for any thing he desires. There's a great satisfaction in humanitarian work. I've been targeted for trying to do good work, but I won't give up. I'm trying my best to go beyond all nuisances around me.

You've completed 44. What's life taught you?

That if you do good, you'll get good.

In "Salaam-e-Ishq" you worked with a South African actress Sharon Asra.

She is a very dedicated actress. The film is about the uncontrollable love of people from Uttar Pradesh. Please treat my three films "Bhagam Bhag", "Salaam-e-Ishq" and David's "Partner" as stepping-stones. I feel I'll be carrying films on my own shoulders shortly.