Filmstar turned MP, Govinda also known as Chi Chi by his near and dear ones celebrates his birthday on the 21st of December. This Filmfare award-winner and politician is currently serving as the 5th Member of Parliament for the Mumbai North Constituency of Maharashtra India.

He has appeared in over 120 Hindi language films. His mother, Nirmala Devi, was a classical vocalist, dancer and actress and. His father, Arun Kumar Ahuja, was an actor in the 1940s.

He produced only one film and that too flopped and that's what affected his health and therefore this well to do family had to shift their residence from Carter RD to the chawls of Virar.

Govinda completed his graduation in Commerce from Annasaheb Vartak College in Vasai, Maharashtra. Due to lack of English speaking skills he failed to get good job opportunities. Little did this Virar boy know that his destiny was something else?

As dancing was his passion he practiced to dance for hours together and took out a promo VHS of his and circulated it around. Then he got offers from a few commercials and his first break in Tan Badan.

Govinda's maternal uncle Anand Singh, who was assisting director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, launched him in his movie Tan Badan.

It was a double celebration for Chi chi as Anand Singh's wife's younger sister Sunita fell in love with Govinda during the 'Mahurat' of Tan Badan and they got married on 11 March 1987.

But his first proper and grand release was Illzaam. It was a success in the box office and 5 th biggest hit of 1986. He became famous as a dancing star and then appeared in many films which got mixed response from the viewers.

His onscreen chemistry with Neelam was a big hit and they were paired together in many films together like Love 86 (1986), Khudgarz (1987) and his brother Kirti Kumar's directed Hatya (1988).

During his climbing the ladder of success he came across David Dhawan with whom his pair is said to be a great success. Their first film together was an action film named Taqatwar in the year 1989.

Since then there was no turning back and one after the other this duo delivered hits after hits like Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), Aankhenn (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Anari No. 1 (1999), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) and Jodi No. 1 (2001). Dhawan and other directors frequently cast him opposite actresses such as Divya Bharati Karishma Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Manisha Koirala and Raveena Tandon during the 1990s.

Then there was a turning point in the actor's career where his acting took a back seat and he contested and won the seat for Member of Parliament from Mumbai North in the 2004 parliamentary elections.

He did not have any new film releases in 2004 and 2005. His political career did not do so well so he decided to comeback to Bollywood. His comeback film was Bhagam Bhaag with Akki which was a major hit.

A friend in need was a friend indeed, and this time it was Salman who came to chi chi's rescue and helped him rebuild his career and himself physically and mentally. It was with his help that he got new offers like, Salaam-e-Ishq and Partner.

This film broke all records; the film grossed Rs.300 Million in India on its opening week, the second highest domestic opening week gross for an Indian film. Currently a couple of his forthcoming films like Bekasur, Life Partner, and Ravana are lined up.

The year 2008 was not a happening year for the star and he happened to be in news for all the wrong reasons. We wish Chi Chi a very Happy Birthday and hope the year 2009 comes in with lot of luck and prosperity for him.