A prominent superstar of the 1990s, Govinda has shared a lesser-known anecdote from the filming of their blockbuster movie Partner. Released in 2007, the comedy film brought him together with Salman Khan on the big screen. Govinda recalled that during the making of the movie, his co-star was going through a remarkably difficult phase in life and had grown quite gloomy and withdrawn.
Coping with immense emotional distress
According to Govinda, Salman was emotionally shattered at the time and had shrunk into his own shell. When an individual suffers from heartbreak, shattered hopes, or unmet expectations, no external force can easily heal that inner anguish. Noticing his colleague's vulnerable state, Govinda felt the urge to make him comfortable, leading to an informal evening where the two sat down together for a drink.
A candid conversation over a drink
In an interview with ANI, Govinda recalled that Salman was beginning to isolate himself completely. At that moment, his own weight was around 114 kilograms, having just returned to acting after leaving politics. He told Salman that by the time he managed to lose weight himself, he would likely be taking on character roles, while already handling comedy in films like Partner. He looked straight at Salman and delivered a blunt assessment of his appearance.
Telling the true lead actor to buck up
Govinda pointed out that Salman was the actual hero of the film, yet he hardly looked like one at that juncture. He noted that sadness and despair were clearly visible on Salman's face and urged him to break out of that shell. When Salman asked what he should be doing to fix it, Govinda advised him to dedicate two to three hours every single day to intense workouts.
Comparing him to Dharmendra and predicting stardom
Govinda drew a comparison to legendary actor Dharmendra, telling Salman that after him, if anyone was blessed by God with a handsome face, an incredible personality, and a wonderful family, it was him. He reminded Salman that he was the rare actor whom audiences instantly praised for his striking looks. Salman took this advice to heart and immediately began putting intense effort into his physical transformation.
A prediction that came true for a decade
Govinda mentioned that he had prophesied to Salman right then that he would rule Bollywood for the next ten years, a prediction that turned out to be completely accurate. Directed by David Dhawan, Partner turned out to be a massive commercial success, featuring Katrina कैफ and Lara Dutta alongside the lead duo. The project not only worked wonders at the box office but also successfully revitalized Govinda's career in the industry.
