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After his comeback to Bollywood, Govinda’s back to his starry tantrums. Well, no one’s surprised by his tantrums post the success of his film   Partner . It is believed that his producer friend Sunil Shetty who helped him in his bad days is having a tough time because of him.

Apparently Govinda keeps praising Salman for helping him professionally but never talks about the man who saved Govinda’s fading career. Shetty had signed Govinda for his home production Bhagam Bhag which was actually a comeback movie for Govinda. But it seems Sunil Shetty loves his friends no matter what he gets in return.

Coming back to Govinda an insider informs that Govinda never used to throw tantrums during the making of BB but post the success of Partner he is back to his starry tantrums. After BB Sunil Shetty signed him for one more film called Loot which is produced by Popcorn Entertainment. This time however, Govinda refused to shoot in countries which Shetty zeroed on to shoot for Loot . He gave an excuse that he is unsafe in those countries and insisted upon Shetty to shoot in Bangkok.

However Shetty was left in a fix at the last moment because of Govinda’s adamant nature. He had to arrange everything once again when the schedule was just few days away.

Now this is not new for Shetty who helped Sanjay Dutt by signing him for most of his films when he came out on bail. But it seems Shetty has become used to it.

Actor Govinda is on the edge of his patience these days, perturbed by constant comparisons with Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan.

“I’m Amit-ji’s biggest fan. And that’s why these comparisons are becoming a bit too much for me to digest,” Govinda told IANS.

Though he’s not willing to talk about it openly, Govinda is also not amused by the constant reference to him in the context of the “Govinda Govinda” chant in Ram Gopal Varma’s “Sarkar” and its sequel “Sarkar Raj”.

At a recent awards function Govinda’s picture was flashed on stage while the “Sarkar Raj” theme raged on.

“I won’t say anything more,” says Govinda diplomatically. “But I’ll say this. God bless all those who are using my name for their own reasons. I’ll also say this. Don’t try the patience of a patient man.”

“My will power is about to give way. Now I’ve reached a stage where I’ll react even if one hair on my head is tampered with.”

The final straw was a reality show where choreographer Saroj Khan praised Govinda to the skies… but relatively speaking.

Sighs Govinda: “I’m very grateful to Saroj-ji for all the wonderful things she has said about me. I respect her a lot. My daughter Narmada has been training in dance with Saroj-ji.”

“In fact she’ll be directing a film for me soon. I know she meant well. But why am I being constantly compared with Amit-ji? ‘Main to naukar hoon’ (I am just a servant). He’s the true king of the entertainment industry. I played the ‘naam ka’ (namesake) Raja Babu. He’s the true Raja Babu.”

They made a excellent screen chemistry in ‘Kyunki Main Jhoot Nahin Bolta’, but a misunderstanding between the two, Govinda and Sushmita Sen, kept them apart for a long time. The rift mounted to such a level that Sush even walked out of director Dharmesh Darshan’s film when she came to know that Govinda was her co-star in it.

Now, it is David Dhawan who has finally managed to bring the two together in his comedy ‘Do Knot Disturb’, which is currently on the floors.

The cold vibes between the two actors was apparent for the first few days of shooting. Eventually, mature and professioanls as they are, the two decided to break the ice and discuss the issue over which they had fallen apart. They sat and talked about the matter. Finally, all the misunderstandings have been cleared and the two are on talking terms again.

It would sure be a treat to see two talented actors tickling our ribs with their comic performances.

Aftab Shivdasani is furious with producer Kumar Mangat for giving more importance to senior actor Govinda in the promotional campaigns of Money Hai To Honey Hai.

He has refused to participate in any of the promotional activities the. Mangat has also deleted a song shot on Aftab from the film.

Our source said, “Aftab has refused to give any interviews for Money Hai To Honey Hai. He feels that he has been cheated.”

When contacted, Mangat said, “I have given enough footage and importance to Aftab in the film.

I don’t see any reason for him to be angry.

Yes, it’s true that he isn’t doing interviews for my film.

But that’s because he’s in Los Angeles right now.”

Mangat says that by sheer coincidence Aftab’s LA trip coincided with the film’s release.

Mangat added, “He is unable to promote the film because he is not in India at the moment.

The film was supposed to release in May but now it is releasing on July 25.”

Aftab was unavailable for comment, but his father Prem Shivdasani said, “My son is not affected by such things.

A senior actor (read Govinda) slashing a junior actor’s role (Aftab, of course) is the oldest story in Bollywood.

So what’s new about it? And if the makers of Money Hai Toh Honey Hai have decided to cut his song, it’s their decision.”

Looking good and staying fit is important in showbiz and comic actor Govinda, who made a comeback with “Partner”, is currently working hard to get into shape and says it is essential to eat right.

“Yes, I am working on my looks. It is important to change over time and one should not stick to one thing (or a look) for very long,” Govinda told IANS.

“I don’t eat!” he quipped on being asked what makes him so fit. “I eat less for taste and more to stay fit. Basically, I eat for fitness.”

Though he is 44, Govinda’s flexibility still matches new-age actors when it comes to dancing.

“People dance for various reasons - emotion, health, curing diseases. I dance for entertainment,” Govinda, who was here to shoot for David Dhawan’s “Do Knot Disturb”, told IANS.

The movie also stars Sushmita Sen and Ritiesh Deshmukh.

“The film is a ‘mirch masala’ family drama,” Govinda said, but refused to divulge details about the storyline.

For “Do Knot Disturb”, Govinda has teamed up with producer Vashu Bhagnani and director David Dhawan in a bid to revive the magic of their earlier entertainers like “Coolie No.1″, “Bade Miyan Chote Miyan” and “Hero No.1″.

Govinda will also be seen in “Money Hai To Honey Hai” and in Ravi Chopra’s “Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai”. And Interestingly, he is part of Jagmohan Mundra’s English project titled “Excuse Me, Please” too.

His daughter Narmada is now set to foray into Bollywood and the actor considers her his student. But Govinda believes it is more important to teach her honesty towards work than acting skills.

Well-known Bollywood producer Pahlaj Nihalani, who was instrumental in shaping actor Govinda’s career with his first hit “Ilzaam”, says Salman Khan is currently ruling the comedy circuit and is the best comic actor.

“Though I have not worked with Salman till now, but I think in the industry today, he is the best actor as far as comic timing is concerned. He can play any kind of role but in comedy he is number one,” Nihalani, who has completed 30 years in the industry,

Nihalani claims that his hit comic caper “Shola Aur Shabnam”, starring Govinda and late Divya Bharti, popularised comedy in Bollywood. The film was directed by David Dhawan.

“My film ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’ was a trendsetter in comedy films. People did not like to watch comedy before that, but after that viewers don’t like to watch anything besides comedy,” said Nihalani, who also produced blockbuster comedy “Aankhen” in 1993.

Nihalani is also known for introducing actors like Govinda, Suniel Shetty, Neelam Kothari, Chunky Pandey, and Divya Bharati, among others. Now he is bringing two newcomers Rishi Rehan and Avantikka in “Khushboo”, releasing Friday.

“I always believe in introducing new talents as they do not have an image. Besides, I feel the country is brimming with talent and we as responsible producers should provide them a chance to prove their mettle.”

His next will be a sequel to the 1993 hit “Aankhen” that will see most of the original cast. The producer said he is also planning to make a film based on the true story of Kandahar plane hijack in 1999.

Filmmaker Jagmohan Mundhra’s sex comedy with Govinda is titled “Excuse Me, Please”. The actor plays a 40-year-old virgin in the movie and says he will pretend he is one.

“Yes, it is a sex comedy. How do I play a 40-year-old virgin? I’ll just have to fake it, ha ha. I guess that’s what acting is. I’ve never touched alcohol in my life. But I’ve played a drunkard. Till the age of 36, I had never eaten non-vegetarian food,” Govinda told IANS.

Remember the notorious song “Sarkaiy lo khatiya” that Govinda performed with Karisma Kapoor in “Raja Babu” 14 years ago? In “Excuse Me, Please”, he is once again shooting a full-on desi rollicking version of the comedy. The movie went on the floors June 1 in London.

What interests Govinda in the project is his return to a raunchy risqué realm, which many thought he had left behind.

“Why should I leave it behind? I am what I am today because of those films with David Dhawan like ‘Hero No. 1′ and ‘Raja Babu’. I am not ashamed of ‘Sarkaiy lo…’

“At the time when it was filmed, I said sorry because it offended some people. But going by what’s permissible on screen today, I’d say me and Karisma did nothing harmful.”

In Mundhra’s film Govinda plays a commitment-phobic nerd who wants sex but no marriage.

“The subject was earlier explored in Akshaye Khanna’s character in Nikhil Advani’s ‘Salaam-e-Ishq’. All of us want the perks of a relationship with the opposite sex, including sex. But no youngster wants to be tied down with marriage. I sat down with Mundhra and discussed the script. I don’t think the original material would’ve worked in our context.

“We’ve altered the subject to make it a comment on the young NRI generation in England, which gets a liberal chance to mix with the fairer sex of all nationalities.

“But when it comes to saying ‘I Do’ they all run the other way. In this way, I’ll be putting across a social message through raunchy laughter. I’ve always done that in my films.”

The challenge for Govinda is to put across the message and comment on the atmosphere of sex-with-no-strings-attached without losing the balance.

“See sex is an integral part of the film. So it will be sexy. I feel nothing done in moderation is wrong. That’s what we say in the film. Let’s see how it goes. After principal shooting, I go straight to my new film for Vashu Bhagnani and David Dhawan. So I’m in London with my family for the next few months.”

London is a city that relaxes Govinda.

“And look at the irony. While a man like Mundhra, whose last two films dealt with serious social issues, is taking me back to the ‘Sarkaiy lo khatiya’ days, David’s film will be a departure from what we’ve done so far.”

Either way, Govinda, who gave a hit like “Partner”, is happy.

“I’ve never felt better. All my debts are cleared. I’ve lost loads of weight and I’ve four films ready for release.”

Govinda has a lot of fans in Bangkok as he found out when he went there to perform at the ongoing IIFA awards. The actor was mobbed as he stepped out of his hotel. A: The world is a family and IIFA is improving the relationship and spreading the culture, and rejuvenating the whole system all over the world. And I believe it’s doing a great job thanks to all the people who are organising it. Thanks to Amit ji and everybody else.

Q: You are performing today I believe. Tell us a bit about that.

A: Well, I guess I’ll let people see the performance. But the performance is just a part of it. The basic purpose of IIFA is to gather film people from all over the world, from Asia, from India, from Pakistan — all those who speak a similar language.

Q: You wear great clothes so do you shop in Bangkok as well?

A: I will see if I get a chance, but thank you all the same.

Akshay Kumar and Govinda stole the show at the Ninth International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) awards ceremony here with their dazzling dance moves while Boman Irani and Reitesh Deshmukh made up for organisational glitches through their hilarious immitations of superstars. Hundreds of fans gathered outside the Siam Niramit Hall cheered as their favourite stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Saif Ali Khan, Fardeen Khan, Aftab Shivdasani, Diya Mirza and Dino Morea, walked down the IIFA green carpet. Urmila Matondkar, dressed in a red chiffon gown, floundered as the hostess, repeating her lines and announcing the wrong performances until the organisers told her she got it all wrong.

Karan Johar, who hosted some segments of the function that was held Sunday night, also failed to add any fizz to the show. However, Boman and Reitesh came to the rescue with their jokes and had the audience in splits.The duo took pot shots at Aamir Khan’s blogging and his film ‘Taare Zameen Par’, David Dhawan’s ‘Partner’, and Amitabh Bachchan, who is the IIFA brand ambassador, among other stars. The Siam Niramit Hall, which can seat 2,000 people, was packed and Akshay Kumar and Govinda ensured the audience wasn’t disappointed. Akshay, who was honoured with a special award from the host country, made a spectacular entry, flying onto the stage on a skateboard gliding along a wire. He danced to the title song of his forthcoming film ‘Singh Is Kinng’ as well as past hit numbers and had the crowd asking for more.

Govinda, who bagged the best comic actor award for ‘Partner’, also impressed the crowd with his dance moves.Priyanka Chopra and debutant Harman Baweja, who will be seen together in ‘Love Story 2050′, too gave a dazzling performance.Best actress award winner Kareena Kapoor, dressed in a silver blouse and purple harem pants, performed on songs from her recent films ‘Jab We Met’ and ‘Tashan’. She was followed by Katrina Kaif who danced to a medley of tracks from her hit movie ‘Race’.The ‘Acid Factory’, ‘Mission Istanbul’ and ‘De Taali’ teams used IIFA as a promotional ground for their forthcoming films.Aishwarya Rai looked her best in a strapless red satin fishtail gown but did not get any awards. But Abhishek Bachchan walked away with the best style icon award.’Chak De! India’, which won critical acclaim and mass popularity, was adjudged the best film, while superstar Shah Rukh Khan and Shimit Amin respectively bagged the best actor and best director trophies.

Shah Rukh was not present at the gala and producer Yash Chopra accepted the award on his behalf. The film about a coach inspiring an Indian women’s hockey team to victory also won awards for story and screenplay.The award for the best performance in a negative role went to Viveik Oberoi for ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’. Neil Nitin Mukesh was named ‘the fresh face of the year’.Music composer A.R. Rahman was honoured for outstanding achievement by an Indian in international cinema, while veteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal and Mumtaz, a popular star of the yesteryears, won special honours for lifetime achievement.Rahman was also named the best music director for his score in ‘Guru’. H. Sridhar won the award for best song recording and Shreya Ghoshal won the honours for the best female playback singer for ‘Barso re’ from the same film.

The best male playback singer award was bagged by Shaan for ‘Jab se tere naina’ from ‘Saawariya’. Veteran Javed Akhtar was named the best lyricist for ‘Om Shanti Om’, which also garnered awards for best special effects, best art direction, best costume design and best makeup.The award for best screenplay was won jointly by Anurag Basu for ‘Life in a Metro’ and Jaideep Sahni for ‘Chak De! India’. Sahni also won the award for best story for the same film.’Chak De! India’ also took home the trophy for best cinematography. Imtiyaz Ali was named the best dialogue writer for ‘Jab We Met’. Saif Ali Khan too made a surprise entry, however he didn’t perform. The 2,000-capacity hall was full, most of the audience being from the Indian diaspora.

Subhash Ghai has worked with many big actors in his illustrious career. He is now all set to bring together the hit pair of Govinda and Sanjay Dutt together again in his forthcoming film.Here are some more details of the film. “Yes, this project is on the proposal stages .We have signed Govinda, but have yet to confirm Sanjay’s dates for this film. The film is titled Dil Mein Baji Guitar and would be directed by Hadi Ali Abrar, a new and talented director. He has got a brilliant script, full of comedy and emotions. So I liked the film.”It may be recollected that Govinda and Sanjay Dutt wereearlier seen in Mukta Arts’ Ek Aur Ek Gyarah, directed by David Dhawan. So we quizzed the Showman, how different is this film going to be? “This is a different script altogether. It’s a new kind of film and not on the lines of other films which Govinda and Sanju have done before. Besides, they do get along very well and would be playing friends in the film too,” says Mr. Ghai.So when does the film go on floors? “We are yet to finalize the female cast. Music will be either by Pritam or Sajid-Wajid. The film should go on floors in July this year.” Meanwhile, Ghai’s next magnum-opus Yuvraj is 75% complete and would release in October later this year coinciding with Mukta Arts’ 30th anniversary. As they say there is simply no stopping the Showman.