Dancing to his Own Tunes

Govinda in a still from DID Super Moms Season 2.

More often than not, it’s Season 1 of any show that grabs headlines and spikes TRPs, but this time, it was Season 2 of DID Super Moms that shot ratings to a dizzy height (9441 TVTs), registering the highest opening for a launch episode of a non-fiction show in the last one year.

After all, Zee TV had managed a coup by getting Govinda as a judge on the show. Back on television after a gap of 14 years— he last hosted Jeeto Chhapad Phaad Ke in 2001— Govinda is on home turf on the dance reality show.

Over a phone call from Mumbai, the actor breaks down his judging criteria. “I look for an instant emotional connect, moves that tug the heartstrings and adds a spring to anyone’s feet. I don’t view dance as some form to master, but as a feeling, to live, to enjoy. Bina bole dance karna that is my bhasha,” he says. He likes that moms “bring a certain warmth and motherhood” to their performance. It’s a sentiment that has its roots in his extreme attachment to his late mother, classical singer Nirmala Devi, and a deep regard for stalwarts like Birju Maharaj and late Sitara Devi. On the cinematic stage, it was Saroj Khan and Shammi Kapoor’s spontaneity that drew Govinda.

Incidentally, his signature dancing will be soon getting a big screen push with his home production, Abhinay Chakra, directed by Deepankar Senapati, which “has all the trademark Govinda-isms and style in it.” His third home production after Hatya and Ssukh, Abhinay Chakra gets him back in the lead role after 14 years. “I’ve put all my strength and money in this one,” he says.

Thirty years and 165 films later, Govinda is all set to make the most of his career’s new phase. He has lost weight and is open to all kinds of roles. Hence, people like Saif Ali Khan and Yash Raj Films, and films such as Happy Ending, Raava and Kill Dill, which had different characters. Even though Kill Dill didn’t work, he gives full credit to director Shaad Ali for getting him on board and even adding a song for him. The actor will next be seen as Ranbir Kapoor’s “guru” in Jagga Jasoos. “I loved Barfi and Anurag Basu and Ranbir’s chemistry, and I just had to work with them,” he says.

In today’s Bollywood where looks, appearances and six packs have become selling features, Govinda says he is working very hard to fit in. “Today, actors have to be all in one — fighter, dancer, performer, even a model” he says. So who is his favourite? “Hands down Ranveer Singh,” he says.

Source:: Indian Express