Govinda was once one of Bollywood’s biggest stars—an all-rounder known for his comic timing, dance moves, and box office hits. However, over time, the actor’s career began to decline, and while many of his contemporaries continued to work, Govinda gradually disappeared from the big screen. Recently, veteran filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani shared his thoughts on the reasons behind Govinda’s fading career.

A Trust That Backfired

During a candid conversation with journalist Vicky Lalwani, Nihalani said that Govinda’s downfall stemmed partly from trusting the wrong people. “Govinda had a weakness—he trusted people too easily,” Nihalani remarked. According to him, Govinda surrounded himself with astrologers and pundits, whose influence led to unproductive decisions that negatively affected his career trajectory. Nihalani called this the “bad company” that hindered Govinda’s consistency and progress in the industry.

Changing Industry Dynamics and Disrespect

Nihalani also highlighted how the transition from single-screen theaters to multiplexes impacted Govinda’s films. “Govinda was a single-screen hero,” he explained, “and when multiplexes became popular, people stopped his films from releasing widely.” Despite the success of films like Partner, subsequent releases failed to attract audiences, and according to Nihalani, some exhibitors refused to screen his movies, contributing to the actor’s decline.

Tensions Behind the Scenes

The filmmaker also revealed a personal anecdote about his relationship with Govinda’s longtime collaborator, director David Dhawan. Nihalani claimed that Dhawan grew resentful, believing Nihalani made more money from their films than he did, and this led to a strained dynamic. “David Dhawan poisoned Govinda’s mind against me,” Nihalani said, hinting at internal conflicts that may have affected Govinda’s career choices and opportunities.

A Once-Reigning Star Waiting for a Comeback

Despite attempts at comebacks over the years, Govinda’s films haven’t matched his earlier successes. Nihalani’s comments shed light on some behind-the-scenes struggles that may have contributed to the decline of one of Bollywood’s most beloved entertainers.