Govinda alaa re!

Actor Govinda, who ruled the film industry for two long decades with his comic timing, is back with yet another pot-boiler, Aa Gaya Hero. After a long sabbatical, the actor made his comeback with Kill Dil and Happy Ending in 2014 but the films tanked at the box office. In a conversation, Govinda tells us about the changing scenario of comedy and stardom, his plans to launch to his daughter Tina and more. Excerpts:

Aa Gaya Hero was stuck for a while, what went wrong?
I feel the title Abhinay Chakra (it was called that before Aa Gaya Hero) was the reason. People expect me to be more in my Govinda style and it works for me. I guess the new title works better. I am all set to release the film by myself.

Tell us something about the film and your role?
The film has everything that people expect from a Govinda film. Those surprises which you get in my films, Aa Gaya Hero has all those surprises — it has dance, comedy and emotions at right place. I am playing a cop who behaves in a certain fashion and that gradually becomes a fashion. He catches people while he acts. That combination has worked again. (Laughs)

Do you feel you would’ve been a bigger star in the ’90s has there been social media then?
These youngsters are very lucky as far as media is concerned. Things like conveying any message, giving an interview, having your channel — it wasn’t easy back then. Facebook and Twitter have done wonders to the current lot of actors. They all are doing so well. One can release their own film or song without having to wait for any other factors. This wasn’t case during out time.

Do you believe that the current scenario of comedy has changed?
It has shifted to the small screen. The writing is much more power packed and finer compare to films. I feel comedy films aren’t not getting the kind of songs they used to get earlier — like the kind in my films. The whole combination is not working anymore. With Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, it worked once or twice.

Would you like to do a ’90s comedy film if you’re given a chance today?
Yes, but there is a certain standard that my fans expect me to maintain now. I would love to do it if it is better than most films I have done in the past.

What do you think went wrong with Kill Dil and Happy Ending?
I feel the titles of the film were not appropriate for the business of films. I feel if you put such difficult names, the film will get affected. Because they were both good films I thought. That is why I changed the name of my film from Abhinay Chakra to Aa Gaya Hero.

Any plans to launch your daughter Tina?
I am praying for it and I am hoping it will happen soon. I am currently writing something but I won’t discuss it now.