Govinda recently opened up about the infamous 2008 slapping controversy, calling it a “lucky” case that ultimately worked in his favor. The legal battle, which lasted nearly a decade, stemmed from an incident on the set of Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, where the actor allegedly slapped a fan named Santosh after an argument. The man later sued Govinda for assault and demanded financial compensation.
Reflecting on the case, Govinda revealed in an interview, “The slapping case was so lucky for me. Somebody was misbehaving, and I slapped the person. The case went on for nine years, and in the end, a friend of mine told me to do a sting operation on him and record whatever he was saying. The guy asked me for Rs 3-4 crores to take back the case. I recorded that conversation and sent it to court.”
The altercation allegedly began when Santosh misbehaved with a woman on set, prompting Govinda to react. However, the situation took a legal turn when Santosh filed a lawsuit, demanding an apology from the actor. Govinda expressed his frustration, saying, “His name was Santosh. A lot of women told me not to do anything wrong with him further. They asked me to be respectful. I saw that nobody supported me; those who have been standing because of me were after me, trying to pull me down.”
While the controversy has now been put to rest, Govinda remains in the spotlight for personal reasons. Rumors about his marriage with Sunita Ahuja have been making headlines, with reports suggesting that the couple is heading for divorce after 37 years together. When asked about the speculation, Govinda dismissed the rumors, stating, “These are only business talks going… I am in the process of starting my films.”
On the work front, Govinda’s last big-screen appearance was in the 2019 film Rangeela Raja. However, he recently made a comeback on The Great Indian Kapil Show, reminding fans of his unmatched charm and comic timing.
