Salman Khan helped me when I was in a lot of debt: Govinda

After dabbling in politics for a decade, recently made his acting comeback with two films — Kill Dill and Happy Ending. The actor opens up about ‘friend’ Salman Khan, his children, his political stint, and more.

Do you regret taking a break from films to join politics?
I don’t regret anything because I did whatever my elders told me to do. If I hadn’t ventured into politics, I would have never learnt what it is all about. Also, what works for you and where you work are two completely different things; when I realised [I was not cut out for politics], I got out.

Is it true that Salman helped you out financially when you needed assistance?
He’s a good human being. I didn’t expect anything from him. At that time — when Salman was instrumental in getting Partner (2007) made — I thought to myself, ‘Oh, why is he helping the film get made?’ I didn’t think he would make Partner with me at that time, and I was in a lot of debt, but then post the film, I was able to come out of that situation. I never forget the people who have been good to me. No one from the political world called me to ask me how I was doing. But then again, I wasn’t expecting anything from that world.

There were reports about you and Salman having some issues over a film…
That will never happen. It might happen for personal stuff, but not for any film.

Your daughter Narmada is set to enter Bollywood soon. Why didn’t you launch her?
My time hasn’t been good. For the last five years, I have been away from the industry. But my kids are wonderful; whatever they do will be wonderful. When God wants them to enter [Bollywood], they will. I pray that Narmada and Yash (Govinda’s son) make it on their own strengths.

We heard Yash is going to study film. Is this true?
Yes, I am sending him to the UK to join a film institute. He is a sensible kid, and will find his own way.