A Sagittarian, Govinda was born on 21st December 1963 in Vihar, Thane, Mumbai. He was named Govind Arun Ahuja. His father was a Punjabi Arun Kumar Ahuja, who was an actor in the forties. His mother Nirmala came from Banaras and was a classical singer and dancer. She was also an actress and was cast opposite his father in the movie Savera and they got married in 1941. His father’s attempt at producing a movie failed after which he faced some health issues and the family moved to Virar.

Several relatives are in the movie business like his sister Kaamini Khanna, his brother Kirti Kumar besides nephews and nieces.

Govinda was rumoured to be interested in his co-star Neelam but he married Sunita in 1987. She was his maternal uncle Anand Singh’s wife’s sister. They have two children Narmada and Yashvardhan.

Govinda studied Commerce at the Annasaheb Vartak College. He developed a passion for dance after watching the movie Saturday Night Fever. He began circulating a tape and soon bagged a fertilizer ad followed by one for Allwyn.

He hosted the television show Jeeto Chappard Phardke on Sony Entertainment Television in 2001. He also has to his credit the 2007 Most Stylish Comeback Award at the MTV Lycra Style Awards. And took the tenth place in a survey conducted by BBC News Online to find the Top 10 Greatest Stars of Stage and Screen in the last 1000 years.

Govinda in Politics
Govinda is a supported of the Congress Party. He was a Member of Parliament for Mumbai North, India in 2004.He won the seat with 50000 votes. He quit politics in 2008.

Govinda’s Movies
1986 to 1990 Govinda’s first movie was Ilzaam in 1986 with Neelam that became a big hit. Love 86 released later that year was also a success. He acted in movies like Khudgarz (1987), Hatya (1988), Do Qaidi (1989) and Izzatdaar (1990).

He had another hit in his hands with Dhawan’s Raja Babu (1994) with Karishma Kapoor. He acted with Karishma Kapoor in Dulaara, Khuddar and Prem Shakti in 1994.

2001 to 2005 He acted in several movies, a few of which were, Jodi No.1 (2001), Chalo Ishq Ladaaye (2002), Raja Bhaiyya (2003) and Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karenge (2005).

2006 to 2009 Govinda moved away from the screens for a while as he got involved in politics, made a comeback in Bhagam Bhag (2006). David Dhawan’s Partner (2007) cast him with Salman Khan and became one of the biggest hits of the year. Money Ho Tho Honey Hai (2008) was below average.

The line up for 2009 includes Main Aur Mrs. Khanna, Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai, Run Bhola Run and Raavan.

Films Done By Govinda

1986 Love 86 Vikram Doshi
1986 Ilzaam Ajay Sharma / Vijay
1986 Tan-Badan Ravi Pratap
1986 Sadaa Suhagan Ravi
1986 Duty
1987 Dadagiri Suraj
1987 Pyaar Karke Dekho Ravi Kumar
1987 Mera Lahoo Govinda Singh
1987 Marte Dam Tak Jai
1987 Khudgarz Kumar Saxena
1987 Sindoor Ravi
1988 Shiv Shakti Shakti
1988 Dariya Dil Ravi
1988 Ghar Mein Ram Gali Mein Shyam Amar
1988 Pyaar Mohabbat Raj
1988 Hatya Sagar
1988 Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani Amar Dhanraj
1988 Tohfa Mohabbat Ka Hero
1988 Jeete Hain Shaan Se Iqbal Ali
1988 Halaal Ki Kamai Kabir Khanna
1988 Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga Deepak Malhotra
1988 Mera Imaan Unknown Unreleased
1989 Sachai Ki Taqat Sagar Singh
1989 Dost Garibon Ka Vijay/Barkat Ali
1989 Do Qaidi Kanu
1989 Asmaan Se Ooncha Vikram Malik (Vicky)
1989 Farz Ki Jung Vishal
1989 Gair Kanooni Om Narayan
1989 Billoo Badshah Vijay
1989 Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharnii Ravi Verma
1989 Taaqatwar John D’Mello
1989 Jung Baaz Arjun Srivastav
1989 Gharana Ravi Mehra
1989 Gentleman Hari / Om Double Role
1989 Paap Ka Ant Abhishek Mhatre
1989 Aakhri Baazi Ram Kumar
1990 Maha-Sangram Arjun ‘Munna’
1990 Taqdeer Ka Tamasha Satya
1990 Awaargi Dhiren Kumar
1990 Naya Khoon Dr. Anand
1990 Izzatdaar Vijay
1990 Swarg Krishna
1990 Kali Ganga Govinda
1990 Apmaan Ki Aag Vikrant ‘Vicky’ Narayan Singh
1990 Paap Ke Dushman Vijay
1991 Hum Vijay
1991 Karz Chukana Hai Ravi
1991 Kaun Kare Kurbanie Ajit ‘Munna’ Singh
1991 Bhabhi Amar/Nakadram
1991 Raiszaada Sanjay
1992 Shola Aur Shabnam Karan
1992 Jaan Se Pyaara Inspector Jai/Sunder Double Roles
1992 Radha Ka Sangam Govinda
1992 Zulm Ki Hukumat Pratap Kohli
1992 Naach Govinda Naach Govinda
1992 Baaz Deva
1993 Aankhen Vijay (Bunnu) / Gaurishankar Double Role / Nominated- Filmfare Award for Best Actor
1993 Prateeksha Raja
1993 Muqabla Havaldar Suraj
1993 Zakhmo Ka Hisaab Suraj Kumar
1993 Aadmi Khilona Hai Sharad Verma
1993 Bhagyawan Amar
1993 Teri Payal Mere Geet Premi
1994 Raja Babu Raja Babu
1994 Dulaara Raja
1994 Prem Shakti Gangwa/Krishna
1994 Khuddar Siddanth Suri
1994 Ekka Raja Rani Sagar
1994 Aag Birju/Raju
1994 Brahma Suraj
1994 Beta Ho To Aisa Raju
1994 Andaz Apna Apna Himself Special appearance
1995 Andolan Aniket
1995 Hathkadi Suraj Chauhan/Rajnikant Double Role
1995 Kismat Ajay
1995 Coolie No. 1 Raju Star Screen Award Special Jury Award Nominated – Filmfare Best Actor Award
1995 Rock Dancer
1995 The Gambler Dayashankar Pandey
1996 Apne Dam Par Himself Special appearance
1996 Saajan Chale Sasural Shyamsunder Nominated- Filmfare Award for Best Actor Filmfare Special Award
1996 Maahir Bhola
1996 Zordaar Ravi
1996 Chhote Sarkar Amar/Rohit
1997 Hero No. 1 Rajesh Malhotra
1997 Agnichakra Amar
1997 Banarasi Babu Gopi
1997 Do Ankhen Barah Hath Sagar
1997 Loha Govinda Special appearance
1997 Deewana Mastana Bunnu Nominated – Filmfare Best Actor Award
1997 Naseeb Krishna Prasad
1998 Aunty No. 1 Gopi/Kanaklakshmi
1998 Achanak Arjun
1998 Dulhe Raja Raja Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
1998 Maharaja Kohinoor Karan
1998 Bade Miyan Chote Miyan Pyare Mohan/Chhote Miyan Double Role / Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
1998 Pardesi Babu Raju Pardesi
1999 Anari No.1 Rahul Saxena /Raja Double Role
1999 Rajaji Rajaji
1999 Haseena Maan Jaayegi Monu/Chachaji Filmfare Best Comedian Award Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Comic Role
1999 Hum Tum Pe Marte Hain Rahul Malhotra
2000 Hadh Kar Di Aapne Raju/Mummy/Daddy/Sweety/Dada/Dadi Six Roles
2000 Joru Ka Ghulam Raja
2000 Kunwara Raju Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2000 Shikari Om Srivastav/Mahendra Pratap Singh Nominated – Filmfare Best Villain Award
2000 Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain Ganga
2000 Beti No. 1 Bharat Bhatnagar
2001 Censor Himself Special appearance
2001 Jodi No.1 Veeru IIFA Best Comedian Award Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2001 Albela Tony
2001 Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya Prem Rahul face Surgery
2001 Kyo Kii… Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta Raj Malhotra Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2001 Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiyaa Bhishma
2002 Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai Sunder
2002 Akhiyon Se Goli Maare Raj Oberoi Nominated -Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role
2002 Waah! Tera Kya Kehna Raj Oberoi/Banne Khan Double Role
2002 Chalo Ishq Ladaaye Pappu
2003 Ek Aur Ek Gyarah Tara
2003 Raja Bhaiya Raja Bhaiya
2005 Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen Raja / Vicky
2005 Ssukh Chandraprakash Sharma
2006 Sandwich Shekhar / Vicky / Sher Singh Double Role
2006 Bhagam Bhag Babla
2007 Salaam-e-Ishq: A Tribute to Love Raju
2007 Jahan Jaaeyega Hamen Paaeyega Karan / Bobby Singh / Sher Khan
2007 Partner Bhaskar Diwakar Chowdahry IIFA Best Comedian Award Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Male
2007 Om Shanti Om Himself Special appearance
2008 Humsey Hai Jahaan Special appearance
2008 Money Hai Toh Honey Hai Bobby Arora
2009 Chal Chala Chal Deepak
2009 Life Partner Jeet Oberoi Nominated – IIFA Best Comedian Award
2009 Wanted Himself Special appearance
2009 Do Knot Disturb Raj
2010 Raavan Sanjeevani Kumar Shooting at Orchha
2011 Naughty @ 40 Sanjeev Srivastav
2011 Delhi Safari Bajrangi (voice) 3D Animation film
2011 Loot Pandit
2013 Deewana Main Deewana Basant
2013 Samadhi Deputy Inspector General of Police Bengali debut
2014 Holiday Sr. Commanding Officer Pratap Special Appearance
2014 Kill Dil Bhaiyaji Stardust Award for Best Supporting Actor
2014 Happy Ending Armaan Stardust Award for Best Supporting Actor
2015 Hey Bro Special Appearance
2017 Aa Gaya Hero ACP Ravindra Varma Also Producer
2018 FryDay Gagan Kapoor
2019 Rangeela Raja Vijendra Pratap Singh / Ajay Pratap Singh Double Role
2019 Bhagwan Ke Liye Mujhe Chhod Do TBA
2019 Chashma Chadha Title role Co-Starring Sanjay Dutt. (Music by: RRS)