/> Since Priyan and Akshay Kumar are quite a team there was an initial spell of awkwardness on the sets.

"That's true," Govinda admits honestly. "For the first 4-5 days I was the odd one out. It took me a while to get into Priyan's and Akshay's rhythm. Once I did, I had the time of my life. Earlier I used to be shouldering a lot of responsibility on the director's behalf.

Not that it never paid off. K Ravi Shankar was completely new when he did Sindoor and Dariya Dil with me. So were Rakesh Roshan and my brother Kirti Kumar when they directed me in Khudgarz and Hatya. But now I've decided to be a director's actor completely. I'll become that pearl in any ring that you want me to fit into.

In Nikhil Advani's Salaam-e-Ishq you saw me the way he wanted me to be. In Priyan's Bhagam Bhaag I'm what Priyan wanted. And in David's Partner you'll see Govinda in David's style."

In fact Govinda is on the verge of signing yet another film with David Dhawan. "I've never felt more charged as an actor. The shooting in London with Priyan was extremely educative. I met so many new people. Travel and work open up your mind. I was doing both in London."

Govinda had taken his wife and family along. "And Priyan's unit was an extended family. Akshay and Paresh Rawal are such honest artistes. Akshay ek bahut hi imaandar kalaakar hai. Working with the two of them in this three-protagonist format was great fun."

Govinda isn't sure which of his films would be his comeback venture. "I'm happy. I'm here to stay. I've learnt my lesson. No more films for friendship and personal reasons."

Ask Nikhil Advani, Priyadarshan or David Dhawan. Govinda is a changed man. "I'd like to think I've changed. Yes, I did have time-management problems. I've solved that. But more than that I did a lot of films for emotional reasons. At one time I'd have 3-4 films on the sets. That took its toll on my health and career. I've learnt my lesson well. No more bhaagam-bhag for me."

Politics now takes a backseat. Govinda is clear about where his priorities lie. "I've always been very clear about my film career. It was always my first love. Everything else came later. However other commitments got in the way. But now I've decided to give all of myself to my acting career. It's a great joy to be back on the sets."

In his second innings Govinda's humility gets to you. After all he has had the kind of comic innings that no leading man has seen. Govinda brushes off the past. "A lot of time has passed. Trends have changed. And I'm trying my best to readjust. Just how much I'll succeed remains to be seen.

Right now I just want to enjoy the feeling of getting back into the groove. David Dhawan is of course an old friend. And it seems like old times on the sets of Partner. But I worked with Nikhil Advani and Priyadarshan for the first time in Salaam-e-Ishq and Bhaagam-Bhaag."

He had a rather unique role in Salaam-e-Ishq where he was paired with South African actress Shanon Esra. "She's a wonderful girl and a very supportive co-star. I'm grateful to everyone who has agreed to work with me at a time when I was almost out of the limelight.

I'm going totally by the director's vision. If he sees me in a comic light that's fine. Salaam-e-Ishq wasn't a comic part. But Bhagam-Bhaag was. I'm having a ball on the sets. "

Govinda squarely shoulders the blame for his career's eclipse. "I've been involved in one catastrophe after another. Now I no longer look at my troubles. I try to look beyond them at the sliver lining. Sometimes it's hard to be optimistic when you're faced with one crisis after another. I try to put myself outside my troubles."

He pauses and adds, "I'm still a soldier of Soniaji's party. I'll present myself in Delhi if I'm called. But for now I only want to savour the bhaagam-bhaag of the film industry."