# Govinda Opens Up About His 9-Year Legal Battle Over a Slap Incident
Bollywood actor Govinda recently gave an in-depth interview to Mukesh Khanna, in which he opened up about his journey from being called “Govind” to becoming “Govinda.” He also shared an incident from when he was 14 years old and sought a role in films. In the interview, Govinda discussed a legal case that spanned nine years, in which he slapped a person during a film shoot. According to him, the matter extended because a demand of ₹4 crore was made from him to settle the case. However, he managed to resolve the issue without paying the amount through strategic thinking.
## **Govinda’s Side of the Story**
Govinda revealed details about the infamous slapping incident. He stated,
*”There was a case related to a slap. It actually turned out to be lucky for me. Someone was misbehaving, and I slapped him. The case dragged on for nine years, and eventually, I had to use some tactics to handle the situation. A friend advised me to record any conversation with the person demanding money. Initially, I hesitated, but later, I agreed.”*
He further narrated,
*”One day, the person met me and said, ‘Govinda Ji, just like demons trouble gods, I have also troubled you. How does it feel now? Now, give me ₹4 crore.’”*
Govinda recorded this conversation and submitted it as evidence in court. However, since the person’s name was “Santosh,” many women supported him, believing that someone with such a name couldn’t be in the wrong. This lack of public support led Govinda to realize that one cannot always expect backing even when standing for the right cause. It also made him wary of people, making it hard for him to trust anyone.
## **The Case and Its Legal Proceedings**
The case dates back to 2008 when Govinda was shooting for the film *Money Hai Toh Honey Hai* at Filmistan Studio. During the shoot, the actor allegedly slapped a man named Santosh Rai. Following the incident, Santosh filed a case against him in the Bombay High Court. However, the High Court dismissed the case in 2013 due to a lack of substantial evidence.
Unhappy with the verdict, Santosh moved the case to the Supreme Court, where Govinda defended himself, stating that the person had misbehaved with female artists on set, which led to the slap.
The Supreme Court, however, believed that, as a public figure, Govinda should not have acted in such a manner. A bench led by Justice T.S. Thakur advised the actor to apologize to Santosh and settle the dispute outside court.
Santosh claimed that he had moved to Mumbai to become an actor, but the incident tarnished his reputation, affecting his career before it even started.
## **Mukesh Khanna and Govinda Discuss Career Challenges**
During the podcast, Mukesh Khanna mentioned how some people had started circulating videos claiming that both Govinda and he were responsible for ruining their own careers. According to Khanna, people said that Govinda’s habit of arriving late on sets and his so-called arrogance were the reasons behind his downfall.
Responding to this, Govinda acknowledged that while silence is often the best approach, sometimes speaking up becomes necessary.
*”When we don’t speak, people assume that our silence means we accept the accusations. They think, ‘If he isn’t saying anything, he must be guilty.’”*
Khanna then stressed the importance of staying resilient, to which Govinda added an interesting personal anecdote.
*”Once, someone said to me, ‘I will write things about you that will shake you to the core.’ I responded, ‘Really? You think you can shake me? I have faced struggles from childhood—getting insulted in local trains while trying to find a seat, receiving abuses for no reason. You think you can ruin my image with a few words? I am not afraid of such things.’”*
## **Govinda’s Absence from Films**
Govinda has maintained a considerable distance from films for a long time. His last movie was *Rangeela Raja* in 2019. Despite featuring veteran actors like Shakti Kapoor, Prem Chopra, and Govind Namdev, the film failed at the box office.
Before that, in 2014, Govinda was seen in *Kill Dil*, where his negative-shaded role received appreciation. However, even this movie failed commercially. Between these films, Govinda also had a role in *Happy Ending*, directed by Raj & DK, but the film failed to make an impact.
As of now, fans are eagerly waiting to see their beloved actor shine on the big screen once again.
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