Bollywood is never free from controversy, and it can engulf even the most prominent stars in the industry. Veteran actor Govinda was a well-known Bollywood actor during the 1990s, and fans across the country still adore him. However, one misstep once landed the Dostana actor in terrible legal trouble: he was captured slapping a fan on movie sets. What started as an unfortunate altercation turned into a years-long legal drama, with the Supreme Court eventually stepping in to demand justice for the fan.
Govinda shocked everyone by slapping a fan
In the late 2000s, Govinda’s star power was still undeniable, and fans flocked to see him in action whenever they got the chance. One such fan was Santosh Rai, who was excited to watch his idol perform live on set in Mumbai. It was back in 2008 when Govinda was shooting for the film, Money Hai Toh Honey Hai. Santosh, an ardent admirer of the actor, had arrived on set hoping to catch a glimpse of his idol. Seated behind the cast, he was eagerly watching the shoot.
However, what should have been a dream-come-true moment quickly turned into a nightmare when Govinda, in a fit of rage, slapped Santosh in front of the entire crew. After all these years, the video has found its way back, sparking the debate on the popular saying, ‘Never meet your idol.’
For the fan, Santosh, it was a shocking incident as he idolised Govinda. After the shocking moment was caught on camera, it took no time to take social media by storm. Speaking to Rediff, Santosh described the emotional turmoil of being assaulted by the very person he idolised, saying:
“Imagine being hit by someone you considered god.”
Santosh was blamed for misbehaving with the crew
Following the incident, rumours started swirling that Govinda slapped Santosh due to his misconduct on the set. In an interview with Times of India, Govinda had revealed that he chose to slap Santosh after he misbehaved with female dancers on the set. He was quoted as saying:
“Yes, I slapped him. The guy was trying to get too close to the girls. I felt that I had to take a stand.”
Santosh filed a case against Govinda
Determined to clear his name and hold Govinda accountable, Santosh filed a case against the actor. But the road to justice was not easy. For years, Govinda avoided addressing the matter directly. However, in 2014, the case reached the Supreme Court of India, where the judges did not hold back in reprimanding the actor. According to Rediff, the court reportedly told Govinda, “We enjoy your films, but we cannot tolerate you slapping somebody.”
Govinda could be sentenced to two years in jail for his actions
Amid the proceedings, Govinda’s legal team had reportedly tried to submit a written apology along with a monetary compensation of Rs. 5 lakh, but the court clarified that the actor might face prosecution if Santosh denied the apology. Under the charges of criminal intimidation and assault, Govinda was at the risk of getting a two-year jail sentence.
Govinda’s public apology
Finally, after nearly a decade of legal drama, the case concluded in 2017, when Govinda issued an unconditional apology to Santosh Rai and the Supreme Court. While he also offered financial compensation, Santosh chose to decline it, stating that he only wanted justice, not money. He told Hindustan Times:
“I was just watching the shooting of a movie as I was his fan. But the incident left me shocked, and I lost all respect for him.”
With the old video resurfacing on the internet time and again, it is clear that the case, despite its official end, has left a lasting dent in Govinda’s public image. What are your views on the incident?
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