Govinda Talks About Arriving Late On Film Sets & Overworking: 'Main Anpad Aadmi Ko Ye Log...'

There have been many anecdotes related to Govinda where his colleagues have spoken about his habit of arriving late. Recently, Govinda himself addressed this habit in a recent interaction.

Like many actors, yesteryear star Govinda was also known for arriving late on sets. There have been many anecdotes related to Govinda where his colleagues, filmmakers, and actors alike have spoken about his habit of arriving late. Recently, Govinda himself addressed this habit in a recent interaction.

Why Govinda would arrive late on sets

In a recent interview, Govinda admitted that he would not leave his house for a set until he had found the rhythm of his character. He also revealed that at one point, 49 of his films would be in production, and he would work for 16 days straight. At that time, Indian cinema's icon Dilip Kumar encouraged him to avoid overworking and maintain a work-life balance.

Speaking to Mukesh Khanna on his YouTube channel, Govinda said, "I never used to arrive on time on set. I was a follower of Dilip Kumar sahab. I didn’t believe in being late and all that. I used to first set my rhythm right. Jab tak mere sur taal nahi set ho jaaye, main set pe nahi pahuchta tha (Until my rhythm was set, I would not reach the set)."

When Dilip Kumar Asked Govinda to take it easy

Speaking about his interaction with Dilip Kumar and how he advised him to take it easy, Govinda added, “I would have 40-49 films on the floor. I would travel from one set to another. Main anpadh aadmi film logon ke haath mein lag gaya, agar Dilip Kumar sahab nahi milte toh ye log mar dete mujhe (I, an uneducated person, got caught by these film people, and if I wouldn’t have met Dilip Kumar, these people would have killed me by making me overwork). He made me refuse 25 films. I asked Dilip Kumar sahab, ‘I will have to return this money.’ He told me, 'I will lend it to you, but quit these films.'"

When Govinda considered the suggestion, his financer told him, "Are you going mad? Just now, you overcame poverty." Govinda also accepted that Dilip Kumar was the first person who actually cared for him and even suggested that he quit some films when Govinda was working on 16-day stretches. Govinda also recalled a time when he would sleep for 1.5 days straight after overworking so much.