"I am an actor... I don't understand politics," says Govinda in an interview to Mumbai Mirror. The question to ask him then is - " What the eff were you thinking when you contested an election, displaced a veteran (Ram Naik) from the constituency, and let down the people who voted for you?? Why didn't you stick to acting? " This whole thing has become such a monumental farce. And Govinda's brazen talk only highlights the comi-tragedy of Bollywood types cashing in on their popularity during elections, hogging the limelight, winning the seat, and then doing bugger all. I like Govinda, the actor. Rather, I used to like him, till his bheja khiskoed and he lost it totally. I have fond memories of him coming home to interview me for the Stardust Annual some years ago. Of course, he'd turned up late. And of course, he'd hammed it to the hilt. But that's Govinda. The piece was titled, " Class meets Mass." You go figure. It was a hilarious encounter, and one of my most enjoyable interviews.
It's another Govinda one meets these days. He appears lost and confused. His quotes are inane and insane. Sample this one ,"I stood the ground when everyone else was running. Don't ask me how much I walked and why I didn't run." Huh??? There are several similar gems strewn through the story. But I shall spare you the torture. Bottom line? Actors should stick to what they know best. Leave netagiri to netas. And that goes for you to, Munnabhai. Sanjay Dutt put his foot in his mouth - yet again - when he said his 'Begum' was at home, where she belongs, and where all Begums should be, when asked why she wasn't accompanying him to Lucknow.
One of you wanted to know why I hadn't made a comment on the SRK-Aamir Khan verbal duel. Frankly, I am bored to death with their sniping. I really don't care whose pooch goes by which name. Or who threw the first stone. Aamir hit a home run with his dig at SRK'S current insecurity on account of his films not doing well. God knows what SRK's comeback will be. I'd say sharp and lethal. But just to put things in perspective, there was a time when Bollywood was dominated by three mega stars - Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. These guys were far bigger than today's Kings and Queens (pun intended). But you never ever heard them bitch each other out. Nobody boasted about being the REAL number one, and they were consistently civil in public. Whatever their personal differences and rivalries, their conduct towards one another was impeccable at all times. A question of class, breeding and basic good manners. But will today's heroes ever learn from those big boys? Naah.