Anupam Kher (left) spoke about buzz around Govinda's personal life in a recent interview. (Credit: PTI, Instagram/@govinda_herono1)

Anupam Kher reacts to Govinda's personal life crisis, shares an advice

Anupam Kher has said Govinda should not allow his personal life or habits to overshadow his entire life. The veteran actor also called Govinda one of the finest actors he has worked with and said he hopes he bounces back.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Anupam Kher called Govinda one of finest actors he has worked with
  • He urged Govinda not to let personal issues affect career
  • Govinda's visit to Lalbaugcha Raja with co-star Rani Swarnkar drew attention

Anupam Kher has said Govinda should not allow his personal life or habits to overshadow his life, even as he described him as one of the finest actors he has worked with. In a recent interview, the veteran actor said he remained very fond of Govinda and hoped he would bounce back, at a time when the actor’s personal life has come under renewed attention.

Kher’s remarks come amid discussion around Govinda’s troubled marriage with wife Ssunita and her allegations of an extra-marital affair. The attention has grown further after Govinda was seen at Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja pandal with his Roopa co-star Rani Swarnkar, while Ssunita had visited the pandal separately hours earlier.

In a chat with journalist Faridoon Shahryar, Kher said, "I am very fond of Govinda. I think he is one of the finest actors that I have worked with. I have done 10-12 films with him. Improvisation, acting, dance – no one can compete with him.’ He then added, ‘But you should not allow your personal life or your habits to overshadow your entire life."

Kher said he was not in a position to judge Govinda and recalled that he had wanted to speak to him. "I am no one to pass a judgment on him. He knows his life better, and he can deal with it. I called him once and he said he will call me back. I wanted to tell him, this too shall pass," he said.

Drawing a parallel with his own journey in the film industry, Kher said he had seen both good and bad phases over 41 years, but that people ultimately remembered the better parts. He added, "Everyone’s life has tragedy. I don’t think the problem is that he doesn’t know how to market himself. I think he has gotten bogged down by his surroundings, by his life, but he hasn’t given up yet, so there is hope. I pray that he bounces back and does much more work than he is doing."

Recent visit to Lalbaugcha Raja

Govinda recently visited Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja pandal with his alleged girlfriend and Roopa co-star Rani Swarnkar. They sought blessings, offered prayers and performed the final aarti. A video of their visit later went viral on social media and showed Govinda folding his hands and greeting fans as he made his way out of the venue under tight security.

Govinda had introduced Rani to the media in July as the new co-star in his upcoming film, Roopa. He was also recently photographed with her at the Mumbai airport.

The episode has also drawn reactions from people close to the family. Kashmera Shah shared a cryptic post about ‘homebreakers’ and men leaving their wives for younger women, shortly after Govinda was seen at Lalbaugcha Raja with Rani.

She did not name anyone, but wrote on Instagram Stories, "I can’t believe that people are glamorizing and posting about ‘a mystery woman’. Stop glorifying homebreakers and stop idolizing men that leave their devoted wives for younger ambitious girls. Disgusting. Expect more sanity and more morality from our people. Please stop this madness." Her actor-husband Krushna Abhishek liked the post.

Ssunita was also seen at Mumbai airport a day after her separate visit to Lalbaugcha Raja. During an interaction with paparazzi, she appeared to make a cryptic remark about loyalty, saying, "Love animals, not humans. Humans are untrustworthy."

Govinda and Ssunita have been married since 1987 and have two children, Tina and Yashvardhan Ahuja. Their marriage has faced public scrutiny in recent months, with reports of a divorce plea and speculation about Govinda’s relationship with Rani Swarnkar. Govinda’s manager Shashi Sinha has denied reports that the actor is planning a second marriage.

- Ends