Govinda Height, Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Bio/Wiki
Full name	Govind Arun Ahuja [1]Mid-Day
Nickname(s)	• Chi Chi [2]APN News • Virar ka Chokkra [3]NDTV
Profession(s)	Actor, Comedian, Dancer, Former Politician
Physical Stats & More
[4]Jansatta Height	in centimeters– 173 cm in meters– 1.73 m in feet & inches– 5’ 8”
Weight (approx.)	in kilograms– 80 kg in pounds– 176 lbs
Eye Colour	Brown
Hair Colour	Black
Career
Debut	Film (Hindi; As an actor): Love 86 (1986) as Vikram Doshi/Vicky Film (Tamil; As an actor): Three Roses (2003) in a guest appearance Film (Bengali; As an actor): Samadhi (2013) in lead role Music Album (Hindi; As a singer): Govinda (1998)
Awards & Honours	Filmfare Awards • 1997: Special Award for Saajan Chale Sasural • 2000: Best Comedian for Haseena Maan Jaayegi • 2020: Special Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema Award Zee Cine Awards • 1998: Best Actor in a Comic Role for Dulhe Raja • 1999: Best Actor in a Comic Role for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan • 2000: Best Actor in a Comic Role for Haseena Maan Jaayegi • 2008: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) for PartnerIIFA Awards • 2002: Best Comedian for Jodi No.1 • 2008: Best Comedian for PartnerOther Awards • 1995: Star Screen Special Jury Award for Coolie No. 1 • 1998: Videocon Screen Best Actor (Jury) Award for Bade Miyan Chote Miyan • 2007: Star Gold Excellent Comic Actor Award for Partner • 2007: Most Stylish Comeback Award by MTV Lycra Style Awards for Partner • 2008: Hiru Golden Film Award for Contribution to Asian Cinema • 2008: Best Jodi of the Year by Apsara Film & Television Producers Guild Awards for Partner (with Salman Khan) Honours • 1999: World’s tenth-greatest star of stage or screen in a BBC News Online poll • 2016: Actor of the Decade at the India Leadership Conclave in Mumbai
Personal Life
Date of Birth	21 December 1963 (Saturday)
Age (as of 2022)	58 Years
Birthplace	Virar, Bombay, Maharashtra
Zodiac sign	Capricorn
Autograph
Nationality	Indian
Hometown	Mumbai, Maharashtra
School	Annasaheb Vartak Smarak Vidyamandir Primary School, Virar, Maharashtra
College/University	Annasaheb Vartak College of Arts, Kedarnath Malhotra College of Commerce, E. S. Andrades College of Science, Dist- Palghar, Maharashtra
Educational Qualification	Bachelor of Commerce [5]My Neta
Ethnicity	His paternal grandmother was Sindhi, and his grandfather was Punjabi [6]The Times of India
Food Habit	Non-vegetarian [7]APN News
Address	105, Jal Darshan, A Wing, Ruia Park Road, Juhu, Mumbai– 400049
Controversies	• Case Filed for Doing Obscene Songs and Acts in Films Although the Hindi song ‘Ek Chumma Tu Mujhko’ from the film ‘Chhote Sarkar’ (1996) became popular, Govinda landed into trouble with the song. The lyrics of the song did not go well with the audience, and in 1997, a case under the IPC sections 294 (obscene acts and songs), 500 (punishment for defamation), and 502 (sale of printed or engraved substance containing defamatory matter) were filed against Govinda in the Pakur district of Jharkhand (that time in Bihar). Later, Govinda approached the Bombay High Court in the matter. [8]India Today In the court, Govinda said, “The case has been registered only to humiliate and malign my reputation by having him arrested. I acted in the film and I was not a lyricist or the writer of the song. The lyrics or content of the song were not at all defamatory or obscene and there was no intention of defaming any community, cast, region, sect or society.” In 2017, while granting him anticipatory bail the Bombay High Court said, “In the event of his arrest, he will be let out on bail immediately with a personal bond of Rs 25,000 and one surety.”• Misbehaved with a Struggling Actor In January 2008, he slapped Santosh Rai (a struggling actor) during the shoot of the Hindi film “Money Hai to Honey Hai” as Govinda alleged that Santosh was misbehaving on the sets at Filmistan Studio, Mumbai. After this, Rai filed a complaint against Govinda, but it was suppressed by the Bombay High Court. After that, Rai went to the Supreme Court, which issued a notice to Govinda and later, offered an unconditional apology, and Rs 5 lakh compensation to the victim. During an interview, when Govinda was asked about the incident, he said, that he slapped the man as he was trying to get closer to the girls present there. In 2015, the Supreme Court gave the verdict in the case. [9]Koimoi The apex court said, “We enjoy your films, but cannot tolerate you slapping somebody.”• Criticised for Being Unprofessional In 2004, Govinda was elected to the Lok Sabha. He was often accused of being absent from the Lok Sabha and was even criticised for coming late during the shoot of films. Some producers stopped working with him for his unprofessional behaviour. During an interview, when Govinda was asked to give clarification on the matter, he said that he used to work in 2-3 shifts due to which he used to get exhausted. He said that he even had a nervous breakdown several times. He further shared that at that time only Dilip Kumar was the one who understood his condition very well. Later, Govinda said that it was some people from Bollywood who wanted to defame him. [10]The Indian Express • Public Spat with Krushna Abhishek In 2016, the rumours of a rift between Govinda and Krushna Abhishek spread like fire. The rumours turned out to be true when Govinda and his wife preferred to promote the 2016 Hindi film ‘Jagga Jasoos’ on Kapil Sharma’s TV show ‘The Kapil Sharma Show’ aired on Sony rather than appearing on Krushna’s TV show. In an interview, when Govinda was asked about the same, he said that he was upset with one of Krushna’s acts. Govinda said that Krushna has been making money by insulting others on television. GOvinda was extremely upset with the ‘Mama rakha hai.’ In an interview, when Krushna was asked about the dialogue, Krushna said that he cracked a joke saying ‘Maine Govinda ko apna mama rakha hai’ (I have kept Govinda as my uncle) on my show, which did not go down well with him. The rift between the two heated up in 2018 when the wives of Govinda and Krushna had a spat over a tweet. Kashmeera had tweeted something on ‘people who dance for money.’ The comment was not well received by Govinda’s wife Sunita who considered it Govinda’s insult. Later, Krushna came into the media to clarify that the tweet was for Arti Singh (his sister) and not Govinda and his wife. Later, when Govinda was again invited as a guest at The Kapil Sharma Show, Krushna being one of the comedians on the show decided to remain absent from the sets on that day. In 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic, Krushna tried to contact Govinda, but his efforts were wasted. During an interview, Krushna shared that he was upset with Govinda because he didn’t even come over to his home to meet Krushna’s twins. Later, Govinda released a statement in the media which he had met the doctors in the hospital and was there to see Krushna’s children. Govinda even said that he was upset with Krushna and Kashmera for their derogatory comments on him. He even said that he would maintain distance with them. In 2022, Krushna apologised to Govinda with teary eyes while he was invited as a guest at the YouTube podcast show of the Indian actor and comedian Maniesh Paul. Later, in the same show, Govinda was invited and was asked to comment on Krushna’a apology. [11]The Indian Express Govinda said there was no need to apologise on camera.
Relationships & More
Marital Status	Married
Affairs/Girlfriends	• Neelam Kothari (ex-girlfriend; actress) • Rani Mukerji (rumoured ex-girlfriend; actress) [12]Bollywood Shaadis
Marriage Date	11 March 1987
Family
Wife/Spouse	Sunita Ahuja
Children	Son– Yashvardhan Ahuja (assistant director; born on 1 March 1997; image in wife’s section) Daughter– Tina Ahuja (actor; born on 16 July 1989; image in wife’s section)Note: His daughter named Lakshmi died within four months of her birth as she was very weak and was a premature baby. [13]The Times of India
Parents	Father– Aroon aka Arun Kumar Ahuja (Indian actor and producer) Mother– Nirmala Devi (actress and Carnatic singer)
Siblings	Brother– Kirti Kumar Ahuja (actor, film producer, director, singer; image in paernts’ section) Sister(s)– 4 • Padma Ahuja • Pushpa Ahuja • Kamini Khanna (astrologer and music director)
Other Relative(s)	Maternal Uncle(s) • Lachhu Maharaj (musician) • Anand Singh (assistant director) are his maternal uncles Nephew(s) • Krushna Abhishek (son of Govinda’s sister Padma Sharma; comedian and actor) • Vinay Anand (son of Govinda’s sister Pushpa Anand; actor) Niece(s) • Arti Singh (daughter of Govinda’s sister Padma Sharma; TV actress) • Ragini Khanna (daughter of Govinda’s sister Kamini Khanna; TV actress) Daughter-in-Law • Kashmeera Shah (wife of Krushna Abhishek; model and actor)
Favourites
Food	Fried Chicken, Moong Dal, Khichdi, Bhindi
Actor(s)	Dharmendra, Madhuri Dixit
Restaurant	Just Around The Corner in Mumbai and Ming Yang in Mumbai
Style Quotient
[14]Koimoi Car Collection	• Hyundai Creta • Toyota Fortuner • Ford Endeavor • Mercedes C220D • Mercedes Benz GLC
Money Factor
[15]Koimoi Salary/Income	• Rs 10-12 crores (in 2021) • Rs 5-6 crores per film (in 2021) • 2 crores per advertisement (in 2021)
Assets/Properties	Movable Assets Cash: Rs 20,12,988 Bank Deposits: Rs 3,51,97,944 Motor Vehicles: Rs 1,40,074 Jewellery: Rs 1,85,51,718 Bonds, Debentures and Shares: Rs 2,94,00,100 LIC: Rs 71,00,000Immovable Assets Agricultural Land: Rs 2,10,000 Buildings: Rs 2,43,00,000 Residential Buildings: Rs 70,00,000 Other Immovable Assets: Rs 20,00,000Note: The given estimates of movable and immovable assets are according to the year 2004. [16]My Neta
Net Worth (approx.)	Rs 170 crore (in 2021) [17]Koimoi

Some Lesser Known Facts About Govinda

• Govinda, a celebrated Indian actor, has a remarkable career as a dancer, comedian, and former politician. He has garnered tremendous fame for his comedic roles and captivating dance performances in Hindi films.

• Govinda’s family roots can be traced back to Gujranwala, Pakistan [18], as reported by The Times of India. His mother, originally named Nazim, embraced a new identity as Nirmala Devi after marrying a Punjabi man [19], according to Patrika. In a childhood photograph, Govinda can be seen seated in the right corner with his mother and siblings.

• Govinda’s father, like him, was also an actor. He made his debut in Bollywood in 1940 when their family lived in a bungalow on Carter Road in Mumbai. However, after his father’s unsuccessful attempt at producing a film that ended up being a failure, they faced significant financial difficulties. To clear their debts, they had to sell their bungalow and move to a village in Virar, Maharashtra, where Govinda was eventually born. In a recent interview, Govinda opened up about this, revealing that his father had initially experienced success as a renowned hero. Unfortunately, their fortunes changed when his father entered the film production industry. Sadly, the film did not do well, forcing them to sell their bungalow to settle their debts. During their time in Virar, Govinda used to buy vegetables from a local shop in the village.

• At the age of 13, he ventured into the restaurant business with the establishment of ‘Govinda in Virar.’ Unfortunately, the restaurant faced tremendous setbacks and eventually had to close down. [20] The Times of India

• During his time in college, Govinda took part in multiple theater productions, showcasing his talent on stage.

• Following his graduation, he diligently submitted applications for various job opportunities. One of his attempts was for a steward position at the prestigious Taj Mahal Hotel. However, his application was denied due to his inadequate proficiency in English-speaking abilities.

• Despite his mother’s wishes for him to work as a banker, Govinda harbored a strong desire to pursue a career as an actor. In the beginning, he kept his auditions for films a secret from his mother, going to great lengths to travel several kilometers by train from Virar to Mumbai. He persistently auditioned for Rajshri Studios, yet faced rejection numerous times.

• After being chosen for a television commercial endorsing a fertiliser company, he later landed another opportunity to appear in a TV ad for Allwyn company. In an interview, he fondly shared how he used his first earnings to buy a beautiful saree for his mother. Overwhelmed with happiness, he couldn’t help but inspect the bag containing the saree repeatedly while on the train, realizing the joy of giving something special to his dear mother. During the interview, Govinda disclosed that he was inspired to pursue an acting career after watching the Hindi film ‘Disco Dancer’. He dedicated countless hours to honing his dancing and acting skills, even going to the extent of distributing VHS cassettes of his performances for promotion. Furthermore, he revealed that before committing to acting, he had firmly resolved to audition for a maximum of six months. If unsuccessful, he had made up his mind to abandon his acting dreams and pursue a career in banking instead.

• During the late 90s, he was presented with the opportunity to portray the character of Abhimanyu in the renowned mythological TV show ‘Mahabharat’ (1988), alongside an offer for a role in the Bollywood movie ‘Tan-Badan’ (1986). Opting for the film, he declined the TV series. [22] Nav Bharat Times featured the poster of ‘Tan-Badan’.

• In 1986, Govinda and Neelam crossed paths for the first time while working on the Hindi film ‘Ilzaam.’ Govinda was instantly captivated by Neelam’s charm and began developing feelings for her from their very first encounter. Their collaboration in over 14 films further strengthened their bond, starting off as friends and eventually falling in love.<br><br>At that time, Govinda was already engaged to Sunita Ahuja, whom he had met through a relative. In an interview, Govinda admitted that he even wished for Sunita to be more like Neelam. His love for Neelam was so intense that when Sunita made a disrespectful comment about her, he decided to call off their engagement.<br><br>As Govinda’s schedule became more demanding, his relationship with Sunita underwent a significant change. Sunita began feeling insecure and jealous, and Govinda struggled to provide the support she needed. This led to frequent arguments, and during one heated fight, Sunita made a comment about Neelam that pushed Govinda to break off their engagement. However, after five days, Sunita reached out and convinced him to reconsider, ultimately saving their relationship.<br><br>Although Govinda desired to marry Neelam and his father supported their union, his mother intervened, reminding him of his commitment to Sunita and urging him not to ruin her life. Govinda eventually realized that he was the only one eager to marry, while Neelam prioritized her career and didn’t take the idea of marriage seriously. As time passed, Neelam began working with other actors, and Govinda secretly married Sunita, keeping it hidden from Neelam. When Neelam discovered the truth, she chose to stop working with Govinda in films.

• After that, Govinda appeared in several Hindi movies including ‘Pyaar Karke Dekho’ (1987), ‘Shiv Shakti’ (1988), ‘Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani’ (1988), ‘Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii’ (1989), and ‘Aakhri Baazi’ (1989). During an interview, he revealed that during the early days of his career, he used to work continuously for 12 days. [24] In addition, he mentioned that he imitated his brother’s acting style in his films. The film ‘Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani’ was released in 1988.

• He quickly gained fame in Bollywood and became a popular actor. During the 90s, he was known for starring in seven films per year, which marked the peak of his successful acting career. Among his notable films from that decade are ‘Swarg’ (1990), ‘Raja Babu’ (1994), ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’ (1996), ‘Dulhe Raja’ (1998), and ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi’ (1999). Particularly, ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’ (1996) stood out as a successful film.

• Presswire 18 reports that in 1994, despite being involved in a car accident, the individual wasted no time in seeking medical attention and promptly returned to the set of his Hindi film ‘Khudaar’ to resume shooting.

• Afterwards, his Hindi films from the ‘No. 1 series’ gained immense popularity. Among these films are ‘Coolie No. 1’ (1995), ‘Hero No. 1’ (1997), ‘Aunty No. 1’ (1998), ‘Anari No.1’ (1999), ‘Beti No. 1’ (2000), and ‘Jodi No.1’ (2001). ‘Hero No. 1’ (1997)

• In 1996, Govinda’s world was shattered when he lost his beloved mother, whom he cherished so deeply that he considered her to be his deity.

• In addition to his acting career, Govinda has showcased his singing talents in a couple of Hindi songs. One notable example is “Gori Gori O Baanki Chhori” from the film ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’ (1992), and another is “Meri Pant Bhi Sexy” from ‘Dulaara’ (1994). Furthermore, Govinda has also contributed as a lyricist, having written the lyrics for the song “I Love You Bol Daal” featured in the Hindi movie ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi’ (1999).

• Govinda was extended an invitation to appear as a guest on the renowned Hindi TV talk show ‘Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai’ in 1999.

• In the year 2000, Govinda showcased his talent in the romantic-comedy Hindi film ‘Hadh Kar Di Aapne’. In this movie, he took on the challenge of portraying multiple characters, including Raju and various members of Raju’s family such as his mother, father, sister, grandfather, and grandmother. Govinda’s portrayal of these diverse roles within a television setting received immense popularity and recognition. A compilation of his remarkable performances in the TV scenes from ‘Hadh Kar Di Aapne’ was highly appreciated by the audience. Alongside the comedic moments, the film also gained fame for the strong on-screen chemistry between Govinda and Rani Mukerji, the lead actors. However, rumors started circulating when a reporter claimed to have seen Govinda in night attire inside Rani Mukerji’s room during the shooting of the film in a foreign location. These rumors allegedly caused Govinda’s wife, Sunita, to decide to leave their home. Nevertheless, in an interview, Rani denied any truth to these speculations and dismissed any notion of a romantic relationship between her and Govinda.

• Govinda has formed some very popular on-screen partnerships with his co-actors. One such partnership is with Shakti Kapoor, and together they gained fame as ‘Raja Babu-Nandu’ in the Hindi film ‘Raja Babu’ (1994). They went on to work together in over 40 Hindi films. Another well-known duo is Govinda and Kader Khan, who collaborated in approximately 41 Hindi films. Here is a small excerpt from a scene featuring Govinda and Kader Khan in one of their movies. Additionally, Govinda has also had great success working with Johnny Lever and Paresh Rawal, with whom he has collaborated in 20 and 12 films respectively. Apart from his actor pairings, Govinda has delivered numerous blockbuster films in Bollywood with director David Dhawan.

• aired on Sony TV in 2001, with him as the host. Unfortunately, the show was unsuccessful and got canceled after just 13 episodes.

• The early 2000s were not as prosperous for him compared to the successful era of the 90s. He decided to take a hiatus from acting from 2003 to 2005, and during this time, only a handful of his delayed films were finally released. Govinda mentioned in an interview that during his difficult period, he received support from only a few individuals.

• In 2004, he made a pivotal choice to pursue a career in politics and became a member of the Indian National Congress. During the same year, he ran for the Lok Sabha elections representing the North Mumbai constituency and emerged victorious, defeating the BJP candidate Ram Naik by an impressive margin of 50,000 votes. Throughout his campaign, he emphasized his commitment to improving transportation, healthcare, and education. He served as a member of the Lok Sabha from 2004 to 2009. However, he faced criticism for his frequent absence from parliamentary sessions, leading him to withdraw from politics on January 20, 2008. In an interview discussing his departure from politics, he attributed his struggles to the lack of promotion for his films and the significant amount of time he wasted in the political arena. This period also coincided with a notable weight gain, which posed a significant challenge when he decided to return to the film industry. Despite putting forth tremendous effort, the years he spent in politics continue to have a negative impact on his career. Numerous completed films remain unreleased, and he eagerly anticipates their eventual release. Govinda, attending a political rally, further emphasized that his acting career suffered greatly due to his involvement in politics and firmly vowed to never venture back into that domain.
• MensXP reports that he has turned down several blockbuster Hindi movies, including ‘Gadar: Ek Prem Katha’ (2001), ‘Taal’ (1999), and ‘Devdas’ (2002).

• Govinda has received invitations to numerous Hindi talk shows, including ‘Movers & Shakers’ (2002), ‘Rendezvous with Simi Garewal’ (2003), ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’ (2013), and ‘Mad in India’ (2014). Specifically, in 2013, Govinda made an appearance on the highly popular program ‘Comedy Nights with Kapil’.

• Following his departure from politics, he ventured into the world of Hindi films, starring in notable movies such as ‘Bhagam Bhag’ (2006), ‘Partner’ (2007), and ‘Rangeela Raja’ (2019). Specifically, ‘Bhagam Bhag’ was released in 2006.

• Govinda and Sunita Ahuja celebrated their 25th anniversary in 2014 by remarrying. Govinda’s mother desired a ‘Sampoorna Vivaah’ (complete wedding) for the couple. During an interview, Govinda clarified that although they had been married since 1987 through a formal Gandharva Vivah, they had now completed all the traditional rituals. In 2014, Govinda and Sunita joyfully exchanged vows for the second time, commemorating the occasion with a captivating photograph.

• Pinkvilla reported that Govinda is a skilled Indian classical dancer.

• He served as a judge on the reality TV show ‘Dance India Dance Super Mom Season 2’ in 2015, which was the second installment of the popular series.

• Govinda actively supported the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2019 campaign in Malkapur, Maharashtra, endorsing the Indian politician Chainsukh Madanlal Sancheti.

• Season 11 of the popular Bengali dance TV reality show ‘Zee Bangla Dance Bangla Dance’ was hosted by him in 2021.

• He is the proud owner of the music label called ‘Govinda Royalles’. Moreover, he has successfully released multiple music albums like ‘Gori Tere Naina’ (2013) and ‘Hello’ (2022). Additionally, his music label has also unveiled a variety of music videos, including ‘Tip Tip Paani Barsa’ (2021), ‘Mere Naal’ (2022), ‘Chal Na Friendship Karte Hai’ (2022), and ‘Prem Karun Chuu’ (2022). One of his latest releases is the album ‘Hello’ in 2022.

• Govinda has appeared in TV advertisements for a wide range of brands including Mirinda, Nippo Battery, CWE, and Rupa Frontline.

• It is said that Govinda is highly superstitious. On one occasion, he requested the Indian director Tigmanshu Dhulia to alter two lines of a song because he had just received news that Salman Khan’s dog had passed away. This led him to believe that the lyrics of the song were cursed. Additionally, the film’s title was later changed to ‘King Con To Showman,’ but unfortunately, the project was ultimately abandoned. Govinda holds the belief that making payments on Thursdays would obstruct his income sources, leading him to never make payments on that day. During film shoots, he would become upset if someone appeared wearing red clothing. He has a preference for meals cooked by his personal chef, and it is even rumored that he would bring milk from his own cattle during outdoor shoots. Before making any significant decisions, he seeks guidance from his guruji. Astrology is another aspect of his beliefs, having changed his name multiple times before settling on Govinda.

• He finds pleasure in writing poetry, watching films, and practicing meditation.

• In 2018, Sanjeev Shrivastava gained popularity as the ‘dancing uncle’ when his dance video went viral on social media. The video showed him dancing to Govinda’s song “Mai Se Meena Se Na Saqi Se.” Later, Sanjeev had the opportunity to perform with Govinda on a TV show. In an interview, Govinda praised Shrivastava’s ability to imitate his dance moves with incredible precision and skill. He commended Shrivastava’s dedication and remarked that although many have tried to replicate his steps, none have done it as flawlessly as he has. Govinda felt that Shrivastava danced wholeheartedly and truly enjoyed himself.

• Govinda, the featured personality, has graced the covers of renowned magazines such as Filmfare, Stardust, Cine Blitz, Mayapuri, and Show Time.

• Ranveer Singh, the renowned Indian actor, has an unwavering admiration for Govinda. He displayed his devotion by setting Govinda’s picture from the Hindi film ‘Raja Babu’ as his WhatsApp display picture. At an award ceremony, Ranveer delivered a captivating performance on a medley of Govinda’s songs, and upon concluding, he humbly sought the blessings of Govinda by touching his feet.

• In an interview, Govinda disclosed that in the beginning stages of his career, he refrained from smoking or consuming alcohol. However, as time went on, he eventually indulged in both habits. [33]Hindustan Times

• Govinda, a popular actor, is set to be questioned by the Odisha Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in connection to a massive online scam. The scam involves a company called Solar Techno Alliance (STA), which operated a pyramid scheme disguised as cryptocurrency investments. Despite not being directly involved in the scam, Govinda’s endorsement of the company’s activities in promotional videos has caught the attention of investigators. The EOW officials are determined to thoroughly investigate anyone even remotely associated with the company.