Govinda in a candid heart to heart with Subhash K Jha

Are you in or out of politics?
I'm like water. My temperature depends on the atmosphere. Things around me had become so volatile I couldn't function properly. In Indian politics deception seems a by-word. I'll have none of that.

From now on I want to be part of only those factions that believe in decency and hard work. That applies to both cinema and politics. I've severed all relations with undesirable elements.

I met Soniaji and told her I want to work towards improving my own constituency. Thanks to my party I've been traveling all over the country.

Now I want to restrict myself to my constituency. Now I find the clouds around me dispersing. I want to get as close to Nature as possible.

Why was there so little of you in your comeback film Bhagam Bhag?
My intention was to make a comeback at any cost. I wasn't finding a way out anywhere. Salman Khan and David Dhawan were the first to offer me solace. Then came Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar. I never bothered with how I was treated.

I just needed to return. I didn't want to be caught up in any more problems. From 1996 onwards I've been caught in never-ending turmoil. I'd consider 2006 my year of recovery. At least I found a place back in the industry.

No one had taken your place...
I wouldn't say that. Time is the greatest leveler. It's best to do one's work quietly.

In 2006 there was a lot of mud-slinging against you? Do you feel like a victim?
(laughs) Victim? I'd say people make such a big victim of only those who scare them. But let me assure them I'm no one to be scared of. God knows why they find me such a terror. Every human being crosses hurdles in his life according to their destiny. I've been doing what I've to do. The rest I leave to destiny.

Akshay Kumar seems to be playing the kind of roles you used to do.
I believe every actor gets some chance or the other to show his capability. I had one long scene in Bhagam Bhag. And I was happy with that.

An enlightened viewer knows when it comes to getting into character, Kamal Haasan and Amitabh Bachchan are the kings. To a certain extent you find Abhishek Bachchan getting into character. How many actrors today have the capability to go beyond characters?

I feel I've done whatever I could. I think I'm quite okay in Bhagam Bhag.

Did you get the footage you were promised?
Khichi hui lagaam ke saath main dauda hoon. Who has pulled those reins, I won't mention. I guess it's Time pulling those reins.

I feel you were treated unfairly in Bhagam Bhag.
Shall I tell you frankly? Yahan ki chalakiyan bahut masoom hain. These things do happen. I don't want to think of these things. I don't want any actor to be scared thinking Govinda will eat him up.

I want to achieve my target of again doing solo heroes. Sure I've started at the bottom rung. But that's where everyone has to start.

Was your role cut?
The entire film had to be cut.

Was Akshay's role cut?
He was the main hero. I was signed for the supporting role. My times were bad. I did what I thought was right, setting aside my ego for the sake of my family and kids. You please pray for me that I do a role that fetches me an Oscar. So far I don't even get popular awards.

Last year you were accused of fraternizing with the underworld in Dubai.
I know. I wonder what happened to that so-called scandal! Artistes are already wary souls. How much more can one be cautious? For 17 years I haven't gone anywhere in the Middle East.

Imagine how much money I'd have earned. God knows what force stopped me. But now I'm planning to have a show in the Middle East. No one can stop me. Very soon I'll make my announcement.

I won't stop negative forces from doing the right things. A human-being must always aim to move directly towards his goal.

Will you have time for any politics after so many films?
A person can have time for any thing he desires. There's great satisfaction in humanitarian work. I've been targeted for trying to do good. But I won't give up. I'm trying my best to go beyond all the nuisance around me.

You've completed 42. What's life taught you ?
That if you do good, you'll get good.

In Salaam-e-Ishq you were cast with a South African actress.
She's Sharon Asra. A very dedicated artiste. It's a really strange plot about characters who come together in unique ways. My character Raju will find a great deal of acceptance in UP. It's about the uncontrollable love of people from that area.

Salman looks like an angel in the film. We were together in Partners. That was like my home production. It's the work of a mili-juli sarkar. My friend David Dhawan helped me by casting mein his film.

Please treat my three films Bhagam Bhag, Salaam-e-Ishq and David's Partner as stepping stones. I feel I'll be carrying films on my own shoulders shortly.