Dominating the 1990s, Bollywood actor Govinda is known for his impeccable comic timing, energetic dance moves, and charismatic screen presence. The Hero No. 1, Bhagam Bhag, and Partner star has delivered numerous memorable performances over the years. Here’s a rundown of some of his best movies that have left a lasting impact on Indian cinema. Our guide also offers you the best platforms and deals to stream the best Govinda movies.
Which Govinda movies should I watch first?
To get started with Govinda, the quintessential movies to watch are his ‘90s romantic comedies (most of which were directed by David Dhawan). Coolie No. 1 (1995) is a cult favorite in this regard. This film showcases Govinda in a dual role that highlights his versatility. Playing a coolie who pretends to be a wealthy businessman to marry a rich girl, Govinda’s comedic antics, combined with Karisma Kapoor’s lively performance, made this film a major hit.
Another memorable collaboration with David Dhawan was in Hero No. 1 (1997) which starred Govinda as a wealthy, carefree young man who falls in love with a middle-class girl. His attempts to win over her family with his charm and wit, along with his impeccable comic timing, solidified his status as a comedy king.
Govinda’s characters in this era often shifted between streetsmart to incredibly foolish. For instance, in Dulhe Raja (1998), Govinda played a smart-talking street vendor who locks horns with a wealthy businessman. But in Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Govinda’s performance as a simpleton who ends up with two wives unknowingly is both humorous and endearing. His chemistry with co-stars Tabu and Karisma Kapoor, coupled with the comedic situations, made this film a memorable entertainer.
Raja Babu (1994) similarly features Govinda as a village simpleton who tries to impress a sophisticated city girl. His comedic prowess and dance moves in songs like Sarkai Lo Khatiya are iconic.
But even in the 1990s, Govinda could occasionally break typecast as he took on action-oriented roles as a soldier in David Dhawan’s Shola Aur Shabnam (1992) and a vengeance-seeking brother in Hum (1991). In the latter, Govinda shared screen space and played an on-screen brother to Indian film veterans Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth.
Coming to the 2000s, Govinda’s comedy dominance began waning, barring memorable hits like Bhagam Bhag (2006) and Partner (2007).
In the Priyadarshan-directed comedy Bhagam Bhag, Govinda and Akshay Kumar play theater actors who get involved in a murder mystery. Govinda’s comic timing with Kumar was praised, and the film’s humorous plot kept audiences entertained.
In the years to follow, the comedy heavyweight took on supporting roles in relatively serious projects like Mani Ratnam’s tragic romance Raavan and AR Murugadoss’s action thriller Holiday. Taking on experimental comedy roles, he also voiced a bandit monkey in Delhi Safari and played a greedy film producer in Happy Ending.
Why is Partner the best Govinda movie to watch?
In this Hindi remake of the Will Smith-led comedy Hitch, Govinda teamed up with Salman Khan to play a lovable and naive office-worker who seeks help from a love guru to woo the woman of his dreams. This film, directed by David Dhawan, was a massive success and showcased Govinda’s ability to shine even in a multi-starrer. His hilarious dance moves in songs like “Soni Di Nakhre” aptly echoed his 90s stardom.
Where can I watch the best Govinda movies online?
The list below takes you through every major OTT service where you can watch Govinda’s filmography. We also provide you offers and deals to stream these movies online or rent or buy them in India.
