The announcement of the actor?s participation in the elections has ended almost a year of speculation, which reached a crescendo after Govinda?s much-publicised meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi. However, the actor, now clad in a trademark-white linen shirt and trousers, insists he really hadn?t given politics a thought when the media started questioning him about it over a year ago. «I had a different picture of politics then.

The stories I?d heard of the goings-on there had put me off. But I have now realised that if I want to do something for the janata, the backing of a strong political party is vital.

So, after meeting top leaders of the party, I decided to join hands with them.» Why did he choose the Congress Party? His considered reply: «Everyone is well aware that my mother was a major influence in my life. She was a staunch Congress supporter so it was natural for me to join the party. Also, I believe in secularism and taking all the communities with me.»

Ask him whether he is convinced actors can make good politicians and he counters: «Why not? An actor is more sensitive. He can understand the root cause of the problem, feel the pain, happiness and frustration of the common man. Before I started canvassing I traveled by local train to Virar and realised that the commuters? hardships are just thesame as they were 18 years ago when I used to travel by local trains. Those who commute daily by train are tired even before they reach their workplace.Ladies in their 30s look like 50-year-olds. It?s terrible.»

Of course, wagging tongues insist that he took to politics because his acting career wasn?t going anywhere. He snaps at that theory. «That?s not true. I?ve done more than 125 films and I stopped signing films two years ago. Because I wanted to do a different kind of film I produced and acted in a film called Sukh which my brother directed.» The film, however, will now release only after the elections are over.

When his career slid from its peak, most industrywallahs changed dramatically in their behaviour towards him. «People react towards your position in society. I prefer to understand what a person is going through and think positive.»

Yes, attitudes towards me have changed but that doesn?t bother me. It?s quite natural and normal. People make sure that you learn the lessons of life. There is a saying that goes, Tez hawaayen kai chehron se naqab utha deti hain. I have seen the true faces of people. I understand everything but I don?t let on that I do. That?s the way I?m made.» Will their attiude change again if he?s sucessful? One of the lesson he?s learned, he admits, is punctuality. Once notorious for his late-coming, Govinda says he has reformed now. «In those days I was working in too many films because I used to sign many just to help out producers. I was working triple shifts and as a result, I used to be constantly late for one shooting or the other. My emotional nature has been my undoing at times. I?m not trying to pass the buck but that?s the truth.»

He admits, however, «When I became a producer myself I realised that everyone?s is more relaxed if the artistes are punctual.»

His latest home production Sukh, comes a decade after his last one, Radha Ka Sangam. And he?s already planning his next, Sewa, to go on the floors in August. When he?d burnt his hands once with Radha Ka Sangam, which flopped miserably, why did he opt to get into production again? «The main reason for my reviving my production company is to enable me to play characters that I want to do,» he offers by way of explanation.

Surprisingly, Govinda has cast Chunky Pandey in Sukh, an actor considered his rival. The first film they did together was Aankhen, which turned out the superhit of the decade. After that, the two came together only when Govinda did a guest appearance in Chunky?s Bholenath. «I realized rather late that we should have cashed in on our Aankhen success. We could have done some memorable films together, the kind Shah Rukh and Salman did together. Though Sukh is very different from Aankhen, I just thought I?d cash in on the Govinda-Chunky combination,» he reasons.

Incidentally, his hairstyle in Sukh looks pretty much like Salman Khan?s in Tere Naam. Govinda laughs, «Salman Khan mera favourite hero hain, bhai. He?s a big star. «Actually all the Khans are my favourites. Look there, that?s a photograph of Mehboob Khan on the wall. I?m indebted to him because he was responsible for the first bread and butter coming into our house. He gave my father his break in films. So I don?t see why I shouldn?t copy a Khan.»

Finally, does he still find time for his poetry? «Oh yes,» he says enthusiastically. «In fact, my poems are maturer and have a deeper meaning now. All my poems are based on the lessons I?ve learnt in life. Every poem of mine represents an experience. Whenever I?m confused, I read my poems and a clear path emerges.»

Source : Filmfare India

<I><B>(Note: This article was published before Govinda?s win.)</B></I>

<I>? The main reason for my reviving my production company is to enable me to play characters that I want to do. ?</I>