In a recent episode of Aap Ki Adalat, actor Govinda made headlines by claiming he was offered a role in James Cameron’s blockbuster film Avatar. The statement quickly drew widespread criticism from movie enthusiasts who found the claim dubious. Adding to the controversy, former Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) chief and film producer Pahlaj Nihalani has now publicly refuted Govinda’s assertions.
During an interview with Friday Talkies, Nihalani clarified the situation, attributing Govinda’s confusion to a mix-up with an unfinished Hindi film titled Avatar that Nihalani had worked on with the actor. “I had made a film called Avatar with him. I had filmed 40 minutes of it, which I consider one of my best films, but it got canned,” Nihalani explained.
“Woh Avatar title se pata nahi uske dimaag mein kya aaya, baad mein claim karta raha ki main waha (Hollywood) ki Avatar kar raha hoon. Uske dimaag ka disc ghum gaya aur language Hindi se English mein chala gaya.” (Due to the same title, I don’t know what went wrong in his mind and he kept claiming that he was doing Hollywood’s Avatar. The disc of his brain spun over, and he went from Hindi to English.)
Nihalani further elaborated on the circumstances, stating, “He (Govinda) said he was offered that Avatar and forgot that it was Pahlaj Nihalani’s Avatar. So that was the big tragedy that happened. He said let’s put this on hold, do something else. We tried to make the film in one schedule, but last minute I don’t know what almonds he ate with tea that he started fainting and we din ke baad se uska dimaag theek nahi raha. He started talking nonsense and the schedule kept getting pushed. Some songs were remaining and some portions of the climax, but he didn’t shoot at all. The shot would be ready, and he would wake up, but then he was fainting. Pata nahi badaam mein kya tha, suspense hai aaj tak.” (I don’t know what was there in the almonds, it is still a suspense.)
Govinda, who recently appeared in the film Rangeela Raja, produced by Nihalani, has since transitioned into politics. He joined the Shiva Sena ahead of the Indian Lok Sabha Polls 2024. Despite the backlash, Govinda has stood by his claims, though Nihalani’s statements cast significant doubt on the actor’s version of events.