Veteran Bollywood actor Dharmendra has recently returned home after being hospitalized. His health is now improving, and doctors have advised that his care continue under supervision at home. While fans were relieved by this update, another worrying piece of news surfaced — actor Govinda was admitted to a Mumbai hospital after suddenly feeling dizzy. Thankfully, both stars are now recovering well.
Over the years, Dharmendra and Govinda have shared a warm friendship and have worked together in several films. Dharmendra has often supported Govinda since his early days in the industry. However, there was one unforgettable incident when the senior actor reportedly slapped Govinda — and the reason behind it dates back to the 1990s.
The Incident Behind the Slap
In 1990, Govinda was shooting for “Awaargi,” directed by Mahesh Bhatt and produced by Hema Malini. Initially, the film starred only Govinda and Meenakshi Seshadri. The entire casting was handled by Hema Malini herself.
However, midway through production, the film’s story underwent changes, and Anil Kapoor was brought in. According to reports, Govinda was unhappy about this new development and felt sidelined. Upset by the change, he decided to quit the project — a move that created major problems for the filmmakers.
Hema Malini, troubled by the situation, sought Dharmendra’s help to talk to Govinda. Dharmendra, however, was reportedly furious upon hearing that Govinda wanted to walk out of the film. He called Govinda to meet him and tried to make him understand the consequences of his decision. But when Govinda refused to listen, Dharmendra is said to have lost his temper and slapped him on the set.
Did It Really Happen?
While several reports claimed that the incident took place, Dharmendra later denied ever slapping Govinda. Interestingly, another rumor from the same period suggested that Amrish Puri had also slapped Govinda during a shoot — though, like Dharmendra’s case, this was never officially confirmed.
Despite these controversies, Dharmendra and Govinda have maintained mutual respect over the years. Their bond has stood the test of time, reflecting a relationship that is more like that of a strict mentor and a beloved student than mere co-stars.
