Govinda (actor)
Govind Arun Ahuja (born 21 December 1963) known mononymously as Govinda, is an Indian actor, comedian, dancer, and politician, who has appeared in more than 165 Hindi-language films. Considered one of the greatest and most culturally significant Indian actors of all time, Govinda is known for his slapstick performances and dancing skills. He has received 12 Filmfare Award nominations and won two Filmfare Special Awards and one Filmfare Award for Best Comedian. In June 1999, he was voted the tenth-greatest star of stage or screen in last thousand years by BBC News Online poll.
Govinda | |
|---|---|
Govinda in 2013 | |
| Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha | |
| In office 2004–2009 | |
| Preceded by | Ram Naik |
| Succeeded by | Sanjay Nirupam |
| Constituency | Mumbai North |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Govind Arun Ahuja 21 December 1963 Bombay, Maharashtra, India |
| Political party | Shiv Sena (2024–present) |
| Other political affiliations | Indian National Congress (2004–2009) |
| Spouse |
Sunita Ahuja (m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Arun Kumar Ahuja (father) Nirmala Devi (mother) |
| Relatives | See Govinda family |
| Residence(s) | Juhu, Mumbai, India |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1986-2019 |
| Nickname(s) | Hero No.1 , Chi Chi |
Starting out as an action and dancing hero in the 1980s, his first film was 1986's Love 86, which turned out to be a hit. He then appeared in subsequent hits including Ilzaam (1986), Marte Dam Tak (1987), Khudgarz (1987), Dariya Dil (1988), Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni (1989), Swarg (1990) and Hum (1991). However, Govinda would go on to reinvent himself as a comic hero in the 1990s after his role as a mischievous young NCC cadet in the 1992 romance Shola Aur Shabnam and 1993 action comedy Aankhen in which he played dual role. Following the success of these films, Govinda had lead roles in several commercially successful comedy films, like Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Dulhe Raja (1998), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Anari No.1 (1999), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999) and Jodi No. 1 (2001). He went on to win the Filmfare Special Award for Saajan Chale Sasural and the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for Haseena Maan Jaayegi.
After a series of several unsuccessful films in the 2000s, his later commercial hits include Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007), and Holiday (2014). In 2015, Govinda became a judge on Season 2 of Zee TV's reality show, Dance India Dance Super Moms. It received the highest TRP of any reality-show opening episode at that time.
Govinda was a member of the Parliament of India from 2004 to 2009. As the Indian National Congress party member, he was elected as Member of Parliament (MP) form the Mumbai North constituency of Maharashtra, India in the Lok Sabha elections of 2004. In 2024, just before the Lok Sabha elections, he joined Shivsena.