Govinda (born 21 December 1963) is an Indian actor, dancer and politician who works in Hindi films. He was one of the biggest stars of the 1990s, known for his comic timing and energetic dancing. He appeared in more than 120 films, and his run of comedies with the director David Dhawan, including Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1 and Haseena Maan Jayegi, made him a household name. He served as a Member of Parliament from Mumbai North from 2004 to 2009.
Quick Facts
| Birth name | Govind Arun Ahuja |
| Nickname | Chi Chi, Hero No. 1 |
| Born | 21 December 1963, Bombay (now Mumbai), India |
| Age | 62 |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Actor, dancer, politician |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Parents | Arun Kumar Ahuja (actor), Nirmala Devi (singer and actress) |
| Spouse | Sunita Ahuja (m. 1987) |
| Children | 2 (Tina, Yashvardhan) |
| Known for | Coolie No. 1, Raja Babu, Saajan Chale Sasural, Hero No. 1, Dulhe Raja, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Partner |
Early Life
Govinda was born Govind Arun Ahuja in Bombay, the youngest of five children. His father, Arun Kumar Ahuja, was an actor in the 1940s, and his mother, Nirmala Devi, was a classical singer and actress. The family faced financial hardship after his father’s film career declined, and he grew up in the suburb of Virar. He was drawn to dance from a young age and trained himself by watching films.
Career
Govinda made his debut in Ilzaam (1986), which was a hit, and he quickly signed dozens of films. His dancing made him popular with young audiences, and hits such as Love 86 (1986), Swarg (1990) and Shola Aur Shabnam (1992) established him as a leading man. Shola Aur Shabnam began his long partnership with David Dhawan.
In the 1990s Govinda and Dhawan made a string of hugely popular comedies. They included Aankhen (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Dulhe Raja (1998) and Haseena Maan Jayegi (1999). Several paired him with Karisma Kapoor. His blend of slapstick, dance and working-class charm made him one of the highest-paid stars of the decade. He won two Filmfare Special Awards, including one for Saajan Chale Sasural, and the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for Haseena Maan Jayegi.
Govinda’s career slowed in the 2000s. He had a comeback hit with Partner (2007), co-starring Salman Khan, and appeared in Bhagam Bhag (2006) and Life Partner (2009). Many of his later films, including Rangeela Raja (2019), did poorly. He has also judged TV dance shows. In 2020 Dhawan’s son, Varun Dhawan, starred in a remake of Coolie No. 1.
Political Career
Govinda was elected to the Lok Sabha as the Indian National Congress candidate for Mumbai North in 2004. He defeated the veteran BJP leader Ram Naik, and he served until 2009. He was criticised for poor attendance and left active politics to focus on films. In March 2024 he joined the Shiv Sena.
Personal Life
Govinda married Sunita Ahuja on 11 March 1987. They kept the marriage secret for several years at the start of his career. They have a daughter, Tina, who has acted in films, and a son, Yashvardhan. On 1 October 2024 he was injured in the leg when his licensed revolver went off accidentally at his Mumbai home. He had surgery and made a full recovery.
Awards and Honours
Selected Filmography
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Govinda born?
Govinda was born on 21 December 1963 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India and is 62 years old.
What is Govinda known for?
Known for: Coolie No. 1, Raja Babu, Saajan Chale Sasural, Hero No. 1, Dulhe Raja, Haseena Maan Jayegi, Partner.
Featured image: Govinda. Photo by Bollywood Hungama, licensed under CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
