Once the undisputed king of comedy and mass entertainers in Bollywood, Govinda has been largely absent from the big screen in recent years. While the actor ruled the 90s with a streak of blockbusters, his career has seen a steep fall, particularly after the failure of his last release 'Rangeela Raja' in 2019. Recently, Govinda’s wife Sunita Ahuja opened up about the reasons behind this professional stagnation in a candid interview with The Powerful Humans.
“Wrong Circle” to Blame, Says Sunita On Govinda's declining career
Sunita didn’t mince words when asked why her husband has remained inactive in the industry for so long. “Why has Govinda not been seen in 17 years? The problem is that his circle is the wrong one. It’s a wrong circle,” she told the publication, expressing frustration over the group surrounding the actor. She further explained that her honesty often leads to disagreements with Govinda because unlike others around him, she refuses to flatter him blindly.
“Today, my fights with him are because I can’t lie, and I do not appreciate flattery,” Sunita stated, suggesting that his current circle—comprising a writer, a musician, a secretary, and a lawyer—is full of sycophants. “They only say ‘wah, wah!‘ If he makes music, they say ‘wah, wah… kalam kar diya.‘ They should tell him the truth.”
On Govinda's unwillingless to adapt to change
Another factor Sunita pointed out is Govinda’s unwillingness to adapt to changing times. She believes the actor is still chasing the success formula of his heyday, instead of evolving with the industry. “I tell him the 90s era is over. It is 2025. Look at what’s working on Netflix and digital platforms. But he stays with his ‘wah, wah‘ production,” she said, urging him to break away from outdated thinking and surroundings. “I told him, change your circle. For as long as you have these 4–5 people, they won’t let you go forward.”
Govinda once ruled the silver screen with timeless hits like 'Coolie No. 1', 'Hero No. 1', 'Dulhe Raja', and 'Haseena Maan Jaayegi'. His infectious energy and comedic timing made him a favourite among the masses. While he did enjoy a brief resurgence in the late 2000s, the momentum didn't last into the 2010s. Despite having the talent and legacy, Sunita believes it’s the people around him and his refusal to adapt that have kept him away from the spotlight.
Her tough love and public candour might just be the wake-up call the once-dazzling star needs to reclaim his place in the industry—or finally close the curtain on a golden era.