Govinda Turns 61: 10 Shelved Movies That Could Have Been Blockbusters! – News18

Last Updated:December 21, 2024, 06:20 IST

Happy Birthday Govinda: On actor’s birthday, let’s take a look at some of his films that were shelved for various reasons, offering a glimpse into projects that never came to fruition.

Govinda, the ultimate ‘Hero No. 1’ turns 61 today on December 21, and his legacy in Hindi cinema is nothing short of legendary! With over 160 films to his name, his infectious dance moves, flawless comic timing and unmatched versatility made him a household name. From the 90s to the early 2000s, he delivered many unforgettable hits. His acting style blends humour, dance, and a charismatic screen presence, making him a favourite among audiences.

Govinda is particularly remembered for his roles in hit films like Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1, Judwaa, and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. Besides acting, he is also a skilled dancer and has contributed significantly to the genre of comic cinema in Bollywood.

But did you know that several of his projects never made it to the big screen? On his special day, let’s dive into some of the films that got shelved for various reasons.

Padosan – Remake

The remake of the iconic film was in the works in 2007. Sanjay Dutt and Ritesh Deshmukh were offered the roles of Kishore Kumar and Sunil Dutt from the original film. Govinda, on the other hand, was signed to play Mehmood’s character. With Neeraj Vohra at the helm, the film could have made history but was ultimately shelved.

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Rama O Rama

Govinda signed the the film in 1986. But due to scheduling conflicts, he was later replaced, and the role was taken by Aasif Sheikh. Kimi Katkar and Raj Babbar also joined the cast in key roles.

Showbiz

Another project featuring Govinda that was shelved was Showbiz. The film was set to star Sanjay Dutt, Mithun Chakraborty, Govinda, Amrita Singh and Dimple Kapadia in 1991, but it never materialised for reasons unknown. Mahesh Bhatt was the director attached to the project.

Mere Paas Maa Hain

In 1987, Govinda had Mere Paas Maa Hain lined up. The star cast also included Neelam, Anupam Kher, Gulshan Grover and Kader Khan. Before it could begin production, the film was dropped.

Qurbani ki Keemat

Qurbani ki Keemat featured Shatrughan Sinha, Dimple Kapadia, Sonam and Kader Khan. However, the project was eventually abandoned, and the film was never made.

Tandav

Govinda was signed to play a double role in Tandav. Alongside him, Jeetendra, Jaya Prada, and Amrita Singh were also cast in lead roles. But Govinda later withdrew from the film for reasons that remain unclear.

Faisla

Govinda was also approached for the film Faisla, which had a talented star cast including Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia, Sanjay Dutt, Anita Raj and Aditya Pancholi. The film was shelved, and another script was pursued, but it was never revived.

Untitled film

In 1987, Ranglok Films had planned a collaboration between Govinda and Mithun Chakraborty, which could have resulted in a blockbuster. The film was to be produced by Ramraj Nahta with Mehul Kumar as the director. But the project never took off.

Untitled film with SMS Productions

This film was in the production stage in 1986, with SMS Productions backing it. Shankarlal B Pancharya and Prayag Raj were set to produce and direct, respectively. Unfortunately, the collaboration did not materialise.

Oscar

The streak of unfinished films continued with Oscar, which was in development in 1998. Had it been completed, fans would have seen Govinda portray a Bollywood actor embarking on a journey to make a career in Hollywood. However, after filmmaker Mukul Anand’s death, the project was shelved.