New Delhi: Bollywood actor Govinda received significant criticism for his statement on 'Aap Ki Adalat' about being offered a role in James Cameron's 'Avatar.' Despite the actor's insistence, he faced heavy backlash from movie enthusiasts. Former CBFC chief and film producer Pahlaj Nihalani has now refuted Govinda's claims. In an interview with Friday Talkies, Pahlaj stated that Govinda had confused 'Avatar' with an unfinished Hindi film, suggesting that the actor had "lost his mind."
Govinda's film Avatar
Pahlaj explained, “I had made a film called 'Avatar' with him. I filmed 40 minutes of it, which I consider one of my best films, but it got shelved. Woh Avatar title se pata nahi uske dimaag mein kya aaya, baad mein claim karta raha ki main waha (Hollywood) ki Avatar kar raha hoon. Uske dimaag ka disc ghum gaya aur language Hindi se English mein chala gaya (Due to the title, I don't know what went wrong in his mind, and he kept claiming that he was doing Hollywood's 'Avatar.' The disc of his brain spun over, and he went from Hindi to English.)”
Pahlaj further elaborated, “He said he was offered 'Avatar' and forgot that it was actually Pahlaj Nihalani’s 'Avatar.' That was the big tragedy. He said, ‘let’s put this on hold and do something else.’ We tried to make the film in one schedule, but last minute, I don't know what almonds he ate with tea, he started fainting, and since then, his mind hasn't been right. He started talking nonsense, and the schedule kept getting pushed. Some songs and portions of the climax were remaining, but he didn’t shoot at all. The shot would be ready, he would wake up, but then he’d faint. I don't know what was in the almonds; it's still a mystery.”
Govinda's work front
Govinda was last seen in 'Rangeela Raja,' produced by Pahlaj Nihalani. He recently joined Shiva Sena ahead of the Indian Lok Sabha Polls 2024.