When Govinda couldn’t afford groceries, broke down due to humiliation: ‘My mother started crying and I cried with her’

Govinda, who cemented his status as the ‘hero no 1’ of the 90s, endured major struggles when he was younger. His family fell on hard times even before he was born when his father Arun Ahuja produced a film that tanked at the box office.

As Govinda turns 58 on Tuesday, here is looking back at his inspirational journey from a chawl in Virar to a bonafide Bollywood superstar.

In an interview with India Today in 1997, Govinda recalled not being able to even afford groceries at one point and being insulted because of their uncleared dues. “The baniya used to make me stand for hours because he knew I wouldn’t pay for the goods. Once I refused to go to the shop anymore. My mother started crying and I cried with her,” he had said.

Govinda made his Bollywood debut with Love 86 in 1986 and never looked back. He established himself as a leading star of the 80s and 90s, with hits such as Ilzaam, Aankhen, Raja Babu, Hero No 1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan and Haseena Maan Jaayegi to his credit. He won acclaim for his comic timing and dance moves.

Back in the day, Govinda dreamt of winning an Oscar. “People laugh. They say, ‘he can’t even speak English properly, what he’ll win an Oscar?’ But if from nothing I could become Govinda, surely from Govinda I can become something,” he had said.

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Govinda was last seen on the big screen in Rangeela Raja. Over the last few weeks, he has been coming out with music videos. His debut single was a track called Tip Tip Paani Barsa, which he followed up with Chashma Chadha Ke. His third song, Hello, was announced last week and will release soon.