by Subhash K Jha

If there's a prize for the most self-destructive star in Bollywood it would have to go to Govinda.

While his newly acquired career in politics has hardly brought him glory, his true vocation too cries for a serious and immediate rejuvenation.

Can this immensely gifted actor overcome the suicidal mood that seems to have overtaken his professional exigencies? Last year he returned to films with after a long hiatus with the soggy family saga Sukh. The film was directed by Govinda's utterly incompetent director- brother Kirti Ahuja whom we would recall as the guy who put his star-brother into the red with the selfstyled magnum opus Radha Ka Sangam a decade ago.

Govinda doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes—at least not when it comes to his family. His new production Jahan Jaiyega Humein Paiyega featuring the star with Saakshi (popular in the South in Telugu and Kannada films) is directed by Govinda's nephew Dumpy.

Yes, that's the director's name. And he's all of 19!!! Now do we know why Govinda's career is down-in-the-dump(y)s? Apparently Govinda supervised most proceedings on the sets . But what does it say about his misplaced faith in his kith and kin?

Some time ago Govinda had agreed to make an appearance in a South Indian monstrosity Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya only because his nephew Vinay Anand starred in it.

Not surprisingly Jahan Jaiyega... remains unsold in almost all territories. As far as distributors are concerned Govinda's career is over.

"Not so fast," says Govinda's leading lady Saakshi in Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jayenge. "I think he has a long way to go. He's amazingly good . And he has lost loads of weight and is looking as good as before."

Old Govinda loyalist David Dhawan can yet bring about a miraculous makeover in his career. "You mark my word. Govinda has a long long way to go. My film Partner with him and Salman will bring Govinda back in a big way."

Nikhil Advani who has just directed Govinda in Salaam-e-Ishq can't stop raving about the much-maligned actor. Maybe there's some real real sukh around the corner for Govinda.