In a candid conversation with film critic Rajeev Masand in 2016, the veteran actor spoke about experiencing the shift in public attention at a time when Govinda dominated the box office with a string of hits and unmatched mass appeal. “The whole equation changes. The crowd is not as attracted to you. You could enter a restaurant and cause mayhemand then enter again, and nobody looks at you,” Bachchan had said, describing the emotional toll of witnessing fame fade.
The Sholay star recalled a revealing incident from the sets of the 1991 film Hum, where he witnessed firsthand the younger generation’s adoration for Govinda. “I was shooting with Govinda when a group of kids came up for autographs. A young girl told her friend, ‘Woh nahin, yeh Govinda ka autograph lo,’” Bachchan said, calling it a moment that made him realise how public affection had shifted.
Bachchan also recounted a promotional trip to New York with Govinda and Raveena Tandon during his post-hiatus return to films. Unlike the frenzy of his earlier visits, the superstar noted how people barely noticed him that time. “We got off this great big limousine into the theatre, and nobody looked at you. You’re just walking in like the rest of the audience,” he shared.
The reflections, resurfacing amid renewed concern for Govinda’s health, offer a rare glimpse into Amitabh Bachchan’s humility and candid acceptance of the cyclical nature of fame in the film industry.
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