Govinda, the iconic ‘Hero No. 1’ of the ’90s, recently garnered attention after a gunshot injury led to his hospitalization. Thankfully, he has since been discharged and is recovering well.
Though he is celebrated for his on-screen charisma, Govinda’s real-life journey has been far from smooth. In fact, the actor has faced significant financial struggles, recalling a time when his family couldn’t even afford basic groceries. In a candid interview with India Today in 1997, Govinda opened up about the challenging period when unpaid debts led to a humiliating experience with his local grocer.
He reflected on the humiliation he endured, saying, “The baniya used to make me stand for hours because he knew I wouldn’t pay for the goods. Once I refused to go to the shop anymore. My mother started crying and I cried with her.
” This period of hardship left a lasting impact on him, but it also fueled his determination to rise above his circumstances. Despite his struggles, Govinda went on to achieve remarkable success in Bollywood, with standout performances in films like Ilzaam, Aankhen, Raja Babu, Hero No. 1, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, and Haseena Maan Jaayegi.
However, in the same interview, Govinda expressed an even higher aspiration—winning an Oscar. While some dismissed his dream, he remained undeterred. “People laugh.
They say, ‘he can’t even speak English properly, what he’ll win an Oscar?’ But if from nothing I could become Govinda, surely from Govinda I.