Govind Arun Ahuja (born December 21, 1963 in Virar, Maharashtra India), popularly known as Govinda, is an actor in Hindi films. Starting with his debut in 1985, he has acted in over 120 Hindi films. In 2004, he joined politics, winning a parliamentary seat from Mumbai.
Govinda was born to Arun Ahuja and Nirmala Arun Ahuja. He studied at Annasaheb Vartak College in Vasai, Maharashtra. His elder brother Kirti Kumar is an actor and director. He has appeared in some of Govinda’s films playing supporting roles and has directed his brother in some films most notably Hatya (1988). Govinda initially wanted to marry actress Neelam with whom he had made many films but eventually gave up and married according to his mother’s choice. He married Sunita Govind Ahuja on 11 March 1987 and has two children with her.
Govinda made his film debut in the 1986 film Ilzaam which was a success and launched his career. He acted in a string of movies after that with mixed success. He was often paired opposite Neelam and together they appeared in hit films such as Love 86 (1986), Khudgarz (1987) and his brother Kirti Kumar’s directed Hatya (1988). He worked with David Dhawan for the first time in the 1989 film Taaqatwar which was an action film. He then did several other films with David Dhawan most notably Shola Aur Shabnam (1992) and Aankhen (1993), that were not only successful but also pulled Govinda towards comic roles. He then went onto star in many successful comedy films in the 1990s which were directed by David Dhawan and where he was frequently paired with actresses such as Karishma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon.
Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) and Jodi No. 1 (2000) were some of the hit movies that the Govinda and David Dhawan combination did.
In an attempt to try a different role, Govinda played a negative role for the first time in Shikari (2000). Although the movie was not a commercial success, Govinda’s convincing portrayal of a villain was critically acclaimed. His movies since then have not been box-office succeesses.
He decided to move to politics in 2003 and did not have any new film releases although some of his delayed films released in 2005 which were Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen and Ssukh the latter which he had also produced.