Introduction:
Govinda, known for his undisputed reign and brilliant comic timing in Bollywood, once held the title of the king of comedy. Alongside director David Dhawan, he ruled the industry, entertaining audiences with his unique style. However, amidst his successful run, there were two significant films, Devdas and Taal, that Govinda rejected, which could be considered the biggest mistakes of his career. In this blog post, we delve into the reasons behind his rejections and the impact they had on his career.
The Missed Opportunities:
Devdas and Taal: Both Devdas and Taal, iconic films in Bollywood, featured Aishwarya Rai as the lead actress. Govinda had the chance to be a part of these movies, but he turned down the offers. The reasons behind his rejections were revealed by Govinda himself in an interview. In his own words, he explained that during that period, he was at the pinnacle of his stardom and was unsure if the audience would accept him in character roles.
Devdas:
In Devdas, Govinda was offered the role of Chunnilal, a character that Jackie Shroff eventually played. Govinda expressed concerns about taking on a character role, as he believed it would require him to constantly remind himself of his character’s essence. This dedication to his craft often led him to ask numerous questions, which some filmmakers found irksome. Govinda’s commitment to getting into the skin of his characters and understanding their situations endeared him to audiences and made his portrayals memorable.
Taal:
Similarly, in Taal, Govinda was offered the role that Anil Kapoor eventually portrayed. However, he declined the opportunity, again citing his apprehension about playing a character role. Despite his success as a leading actor, Govinda was unsure if the audience would accept him in a different avatar, leading him to make the regrettable decision to pass on this film as well.
The Impact:
Rejecting roles in Devdas and Taal had a significant impact on Govinda’s career trajectory. These movies went on to become iconic hits, further solidifying the positions of the actors who eventually took on the roles. Govinda missed the chance to showcase his versatility and explore different shades of his acting talent.
Recent Works:
In terms of recent work, Govinda’s last big-budget films were Kill Dill and Happy Ending in 2014. In these movies, he played supporting roles alongside talented actors such as Ranveer Singh and Saif Ali Khan. Although he received critical acclaim and even secured Filmfare nominations for both performances, these roles didn’t offer him the same level of prominence and recognition that he had achieved during his prime.
Conclusion:
While Govinda enjoyed an unparalleled reign as the king of comedy, his decisions to reject roles in Devdas and Taal were regarded as the biggest mistakes of his career. Concerns about his stardom and acceptance in character roles led him to miss out on the opportunity to be a part of two iconic films. Nevertheless, Govinda’s dedication to his craft and his commitment to portraying characters with honesty and depth have always been cherished by audiences. As his career continues, fans eagerly await new projects that will once again showcase his unique talent and charm on the big screen.
