Bollywood actor Govinda may not have appeared in films for several years, but he continues to remain in the spotlight through interviews, reality show appearances, and public events. While his name has occasionally been linked to personal controversies during this period, the actor believes that such situations are not unique to him and are quite common in the film industry.
In a recent conversation with entertainment journalist Siddharth Kannan, Govinda opened up about how reputation and controversies often become part of an actor’s journey in Bollywood. The actor questioned the idea of a “perfect image” in the industry, saying that no star has a completely spotless reputation.
“Whose name is spotless in this line? Are you mad? One who has a spotless name must be a dangerous person,” Govinda said during the chat. He added that if someone is loved too much in the industry, it might also mean people are afraid of them. According to him, qualities like professionalism, punctuality, and a good heart are what truly matter, but even then, actors are bound to face criticism at some point.
Govinda further explained that controversies often get blown out of proportion, and almost every actor experiences a phase when their reputation is questioned. To explain his point, he cited the example of Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan.
He noted that despite being considered one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema, Amitabh Bachchan also faced a long period away from films. Govinda said that the veteran actor was once absent from the big screen for nearly 14–15 years, adding that it was not due to issues like being unprofessional or arriving late to shoots, but rather part of the ups and downs that come with a long career.
Govinda also brought up the example of superstar Rajesh Khanna, who ruled Bollywood in the late 1960s and early 1970s. According to Govinda, even Khanna faced criticism during the peak of his stardom. He recalled that there were groups of people who questioned his performances and appearance, despite his massive popularity among audiences.
“Look at Rajesh Khanna. In the middle of his career, there was an entire group saying things like ‘this isn’t good’ or ‘he looks strange.’ Why? It’s just a phase you have to go through,” Govinda said, adding that how an actor emerges from such phases ultimately defines their journey.
The actor also mentioned Aamir Khan while discussing how public perception changes over time. Govinda pointed out that Aamir once had a negative reputation within the industry, but over the years he transformed that image and eventually earned the title of Bollywood’s “perfectionist.”
Through these examples, Govinda emphasized that criticism and controversies are part of the film industry and that even the biggest stars have faced challenging phases. According to him, what truly matters is how actors deal with those moments and move forward in their careers.
