Who is the 'best' superman? Top Bollywood star's version chosen by Superman director James Gunn

Economic Times

11-07-2025

With the global release of his new Superman film, director James Gunn shared his appreciation for Indian fans and went viral for calling an old Bollywood clip of Govinda dressed as Superman 'the best.' The clip, from the 1988 film Dariya Dil, has become a cult favourite online. Gunn's praise bridges pop culture across continents and adds a humorous twist to the film's promotional campaign. The new DC film stars David Corenswet and marks the beginning of a new era for the superhero franchise.
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In a surprising and light-hearted moment, Superman director James Gunn recently praised a viral clip of Bollywood actor Govinda dressed as Superman from the 1988 film Dariya Dil. Gunn, who is currently promoting his latest DC film Superman, called the old clip featuring Govinda 'the best' and shared it on his social media, sparking buzz among Indian fans.The clip, taken from the song Tu Mera Superman, features Govinda in a makeshift Superman outfit and actress Kimi Katkar in a Spider-Man costume. Though the costumes were part of a song sequence and not reflective of their characters in the film, the scene has found new life online in recent years. Gunn's enthusiastic reaction to the meme was widely shared, highlighting an unusual yet charming cinematic crossover between Hollywood and Bollywood.Before the movie's global release on July 11, Warner Bros. India posted a special video featuring director James Gunn and the film's lead actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan. In the video, the trio addressed Indian fans and acknowledged the country's deep-rooted love for superhero stories.Gunn expressed his gratitude for the strong support from India, noting that Superman is a film made 'for the world, and for everyone, including all the people of India.' David Corenswet, who takes on the titular role in the film, echoed similar sentiments, saying that fans of Superman are in for a treat. He invited viewers to "look up" on July 11.While reflecting on the viral clip from Dariya Dil, Gunn seemed amused and impressed by the creativity of Bollywood's past. He laughed and called the scene 'the best,' while pointing out the unusual combination of DC and Marvel elements – Govinda dressed as Superman and Kimi Katkar as a Spider-Woman.Interestingly, Dariya Dil didn't portray Govinda as a literal superhero. The song was purely a playful sequence that blended Bollywood flair with superhero aesthetics. Yet, over the years, it has gained cult status for its quirky, low-budget representation of Western pop culture.Gunn's Superman introduces a fresh chapter for the DC Universe. The film stars David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and features Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced in key roles. The project also marks Gunn's first major directorial outing in his new role heading DC Studios.Following the film's wrap, Gunn shared a message online thanking his cast and crew, calling Superman a story about 'a good man in a world that isn't always so much.' The film has already begun receiving positive reviews from critics for its hopeful tone and character-driven storytelling.