'Govinda Was Insecure Of Everyone': Adi Irani Recalls Working With 90s Superstar

In a recent interaction, Adi Irani opened up about his experiences in the industry and his relationship with several co-stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Govinda.

In a recent interaction, Adi Irani opened up about his experiences in the industry and his relationship with several co-stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Govinda.

Source : IMDb

Veteran Bollywood actor Adi Irani is known for playing numerous characters and key roles in films spanning several decades. A familiar face in the 90s, Irani starred alongside Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda, and many other leading stars of the 90s and 2000s. In a recent interaction, he opened up about his experiences in the industry and his relationship with several co-stars, including Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjay Dutt, and Govinda.

Adi Irani on Govinda

Speaking about Govinda, Adi recalled their early days in the industry and an interesting anecdote from their struggling years. "While we weren’t together from day one, our struggles in the industry started around the same time. He used to visit the studio where I learned dancing, and my friends and I would make fun of his dance style. We had no idea that one day, that very style would make him a superstar. We were fools for laughing at him.”

Discussing Govinda, Adi described him as a natural actor who always danced to his own tune. "He would read the scene and then change everything—not just his own role but also the way people around him acted in a scene. He would try to modify the scene to ensure he stood out in the frame," Irani revealed. However, he added that he never minded Govinda altering the script.

When asked if he ever made the yesteryear star feel insecure, Adi candidly shared that Govinda was insecure about everyone on set. "He wasn’t convinced that I could play the role of Tiger Tadipaar in the film and suggested adding two other villains alongside me. But once he saw my look for the character, he gained confidence that I could pull it off. In fact, after seeing me in costume, he didn’t even recognize me at first,” he added.

Adi Irani on Kuku Kohli

Reflecting on his career, Adi Irani expressed his admiration for filmmaker Kuku Kohli, crediting him for shaping his performances. The 'Baazigar' actor praised Kohli's direction, saying that the filmmaker’s skills significantly contributed to his growth as an actor.

With decades of experience in Bollywood, Adi Irani’s insights offer a fascinating glimpse into the industry’s past—from struggling days to working alongside some of the biggest names in Indian cinema.