Veteran actor Shehzad Khan recently opened up about a lesser-known anecdote from the golden era of Bollywood, involving superstar Govinda and one of their film shoots. In a candid chat about the behind-the-scenes dynamics of the industry, Shehzad recalled a particular incident that both amused and surprised the cast and crew involved.
According to Shehzad, the incident took place during the shoot of a film helmed by renowned director David Dhawan. Govinda, known for his impeccable comic timing and unique dance style, was a key part of the project. One day, during the middle of the shoot, Govinda informed the team that he needed to briefly step out to pick up his wife from the airport. Everyone on set expected him to be gone for just a few hours at most.
However, to everyone’s amazement, Govinda didn’t return that day—or the next. In fact, he was absent for four straight days, leaving the crew in a tricky situation. “We kept waiting, assuming he’d be back soon,” Shehzad recounted, adding that the film’s director David Dhawan didn’t lose his cool and instead adapted the schedule around Govinda’s absence. “David Dhawan was one of those directors who understood how to manage stars. He had a way of working around these surprises without halting production,” Shehzad said.
This episode is one of many that highlight the unpredictable and, at times, chaotic nature of film shoots in the 90s. Despite such interruptions, Shehzad emphasized that the camaraderie on set remained strong, and that directors like Dhawan mastered the art of working under pressure with big stars.
Reflecting on Govinda’s behavior, Shehzad didn’t seem resentful. Instead, he acknowledged the actor’s star power and how people in the industry learned to navigate the quirks of celebrity life. “Govinda was a superstar, and his aura came with both talent and temperament. That’s just how things worked in those days,” he noted.
This behind-the-scenes glimpse not only offers insight into the working styles of Bollywood’s most cherished icons but also underscores the flexibility and resilience required by directors and co-stars to keep the show going, no matter what.
