Govinda denies finalising Ganesh Acharya

While Ravi Chopra's next and David Dhawan's forthcoming films are most certainly on the anvil for the suddenly-revived career of Govinda, choreographer-turned-director Ganesh Acharya's next which is being counted among the back-on-the-track star's forthcoming projects, is still not a certainty.

When the news of Govinda doing Ganesh Acharya's film broke Govinda called me to say, "Ganesh has approached me. And I'd certainly like to do his film. But I haven't heard his script. And from now on, I won't say yes to any film without a narration. Bahut baar aisa kiya, pachtaya. Jaley ko phook-phook kar aage badhna hota hai (I did this many times. When you're burnt you sip very carefully). Even Ravi Chopraji I said yes to after the narration."

Gone are the days when Govinda would simply say yes to anyone who came to him with a project.

"I realize the script is of utmost importance. Ganesh is a dear friend. But before I say yes to him, I need to hear his script."

Upen doing comedies with Govinda, Paresh

Mumbai, Aug 2 (IANS) After doing thrillers, Upen Patel has moved on to comedies and signed two funny flicks - one with Paresh Rawal and the other with Govinda and Suniel Shetty.

The Govinda starrer, which will be produced by Suniel's Popcorn Entertainment, hasn't been titled yet.

'It would be very different from what one would expect the three of us to come together for. Am I scared of matching satirical steps with a stalwart like Govinda? You bet I am! But I've been working with another maestro of mirth, Paresh Rawal, in '123'. So I'm being trained by the best,' Upen told IANS.

Recently, the actor was seen with Bobby Deol in the musical thriller 'Shakalaka Boom Boom'. Upen is preparing for his part in what he expects to be a significant move forward.

'I'm working in big banners. It's the only way to ensure a film gets released.'

For the last one month, Upen Patel has been shooting in Pondicherry for his first comic role in '123'.

'We're shooting on a set opposite a promenade next to the open waters. It's lovely. It's a film produced by Kumar Mangat where I have one of our comic virtuosos, Pareshji, to take me through my comic paces.

'Comedy, let me tell you, is the toughest form of acting. And thank god for Pareshji. I want to take up the most challenging kind of acting so I can prove my versatility.'

'123' is directed by Ashwini Dheer who has done the sitcom 'Office Office' on television.

'Ashwini's experience with comedy is of great help. I'm doing comedy for the first time and that too an out-and-out comedy.'

At the launch of '123' in Mumbai while shooting the introductory song with Tanisha, Upen had a bit of a stress situation as his costume got delayed.

'Narendra Kumar, who's doing my clothes in '123', lives on the other side of the town. We were all waiting for the clothes to arrive. It was the last shot of the day. It was getting very late. We had to somehow finish the shoot. Although we lost a good two hours, I completed my solo performance of about 45 seconds in one take, thanks to my choreographer Ganesh Acharya.'

Though Suneel Darshan's 'Shakalaka Boom Boom' didn't do well, Upen has cut a three-film deal with Kumar Mangat.

'It was the first of my three releases where people saw much more of me. I was very happy I was appreciated. I want to do films only with the people who can help me grow as an actor.

'And yes, I'll be doing one more film with Suneel Darshan. Considering my non-film background I've made a good start. I'm working with big banners.'

I'll finally pay off all my debts

Govinda is glowing. "Life is finally on an even level. Partner is such a hit. It crossed 50-55 crores in the first week. David Dhawan has changed himself through the decades. He did a very wise thing by changing his cinema with the times.

This month I too will be out of my debts. I'll finally pay off all the debts I owed after the failure of my home production Sukh. Partner proved to be lucky for me personally and professionally. Not only did I get a big hit I also found a friend in Salman and his family."

Govinda didn't charge any money for this film. "But I gained so much more from this film and my association with the Khans! And now that Partner is a hit I'm getting better and better films, so the money is coming. I've signed new films with David and Ravi Chopra. There's a queue of producers again. Now I'm going to be very careful."

Govinda is very excited about the Ravi Chopra project which starts on August 15. "I heard the script and I was bowled over. Three hours passed like thirty minutes. It was like I saw the film before my eyes. Like other films by the Chopras, it's a socially relevant subject on the dreams and aspirations of the youth.

The film says, determination can move mountains. A very inspiring story with a lots of comedy and drama. Just my scene."

Govinda is teamed with Lara Dutta in Ravi Chopra's film. "There will be one more leading lady, Sushmita or Bipasha. I'm paired with Lara for the first time. She's a very good actress."

Govinda stars in Ganesh Acharya's next

Choreographer Ganesh Acharya wore the director’s hat with the film Swami which released last month. It was a very simplistic film which starred Juhi Chawla and Manoj Bajpai. Ganesh is now busy setting things up for his next venture titled Money Hai To Honey Hai. And for this film, Ganesh has signed his favourite star, Govinda, to play the lead role. The film will be produced by Kumar Mangat.

Mangat informs that along with Govinda, Irrfan Khan and Upen have also been finalized for the film while they are yet to finalize the leading lady of the film. They are also looking out for one more hero for the film for which they are in talks with some big stars.

Director Ganesh Acharya says that Govinda is like his brother. When he decided to turn Ganesh expressed his wish to work with Govinda. Govinda though didn’t do Swami, he promised to do Ganesh’s second film.

Talking about Govinda’s character, Acharya says that Govinda plays a carefree man who lives in the moment in MHTHH.

Mauzam Baig has written the script of Money Hai To Honey Hai and Nitin Arora and Sony Chandy will be the music directors. Ganesh plans to start the shoot in October. The film will be entirely shot in Fiji Islands and Mauritius.