When Johny Lever called Govinda 'madman' for working on 5-6 films simultaneously: 'The man would get exhausted… he would fall sick'

Time of India

20-06-2025

Johny Lever reminisces about Govinda's golden era in Bollywood, highlighting his unparalleled dedication and comic genius. Govinda's ability to juggle multiple film shoots daily, seamlessly transitioning between comedy, dance, and action, was truly remarkable. Lever emphasizes Govinda's exceptional timing and tireless work ethic, recalling their memorable collaborations in films like Deewana Mastana and Joru Ka Ghulam.
Long before memes and reels ruled comedy,
Govinda
was the undisputed king of laughs in Bollywood. His electrifying screen presence, unbeatable comic timing, and ability to juggle multiple films made him a force to reckon with in the '90s.
In a nostalgic interview, veteran comedian Johny Lever looked back at those whirlwind days and offered a heartfelt tribute to Govinda's unmatched work ethic and genius in comedy.
In conversation with Wild Films India, Johny fondly recalled Govinda's peak era, describing him as incredibly dedicated and tireless. According to Lever, Govinda often juggled 5–6 film shoots a day, seamlessly performing comedy, dance, and action scenes.
Even illness couldn't slow him down—he would recover quickly and return to sets with the same energy and focus.
He also shared that working with Govinda was always a joy. In his view, among all the stars known for comedy, Govinda stood out for his exceptional timing. While he acknowledged that actors like
Akshay Kumar
have recently sharpened their comic skills, he maintained that Govinda's talent remained unmatched.
When reflecting on their best collaborations, Johny highlighted Deewana Mastana and Joru Ka Ghulam as memorable standouts. He also recalled the intense shooting schedules, mentioning how Govinda often needed short breaks between takes to recover his energy before jumping back in, always ready to deliver another flawless comic performance.