Govinda (actor)

Govind Arun Ahuja (born 21 December 1963) is an Indian actor-turned-politician, who has appeared in more than 120 Hindi-language films. A leading actor throughout the late 1980s and 1990s, Govinda is known for his slapstick performances and dancing skills. He has received 12 Filmfare Award nominations and won two Filmfare Special Awards and one Filmfare Award for Best Comedian.

Starting out as an action and dancing hero in the 1980s, his first film was 1986's Love 86, which turned out to be a profitable venture at the box office. He then appeared in subsequent commercial successes, including Ilzaam (1986), Marte Dam Tak (1987), Khudgarz (1987), Sindoor (1987), Dariya Dil (1988), Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani (1988), Hatya (1988), Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni (1989), Swarg (1990) and Hum (1991). However, Govinda would go on to reinvent himself as a comic hero in the 1990s after his role as a mischievous young NCC cadet in the 1992 romance Shola Aur Shabnam and 1993 action comedy Aankhen, both of which were huge hits. Following the success of these films, Govinda had lead roles in top-grossing films, like Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Dulhe Raja (1998), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999), Hadh Kar Di Aapne (2000) and Jodi No. 1 (2001). He won the Filmfare Special Award for Saajan Chale Sasural and the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for Haseena Maan Jaayegi.

After a series of unsuccessful films in the 2000s, his later commercial hits include Bhagam Bhag (2006), Partner (2007), and Holiday (2014), none of which had him as the solo male lead. In 2015, Govinda became a judge on Zee TV's reality show, Dance India Dance Super Moms.

Govinda was a member of the Parliament of India from 2004 to 2009. As the Indian National Congress party member, he was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Mumbai North constituency of Maharashtra, India in the Lok Sabha elections of 2004. In 2024, just before the Lok Sabha elections, he joined the Shiv Sena.