Veteran filmmaker and former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani recently weighed in on the ongoing chatter surrounding Govinda and Ssunita Ahuja’s marriage. Govinda was very close to Nihalini and has collaborated with him on movies like ‘Aankhen’ and ‘Shola Aur Shabnam’. Recently, a report suggested that Ssunita has filed for divorce. Amidst these rumours, here’s what Nihalini has said on it. Speaking on Pinkvilla’s podcast, he dismissed speculation of a rift, insisting he has never seen anything between the couple that indicates separation, describing them instead as “friends who work and live as a unit.”
Backing Ssunita’s earlier remarks about feeling restricted by people around her, Nihalani said, “Woh jo boli hain, woh galat nai boli. Woh toh sahi hain. Kyuki pandito ne jo beda khada kardiya hain.”When asked whether he ever feels the need to call Govinda to clear the air, Nihalani refused the idea. “Nai, zindagi mein kisiko salah dena bohot galat hain.” Explaining further, he added, “Salah dena matlab apne aap ko neeche giraane wali baat hain. Ki khud pagal ban jao. Sachai bolna aur sachai sunna bohot badaa farak hain.”Nihalani went on to praise Govinda both as an actor and a human being. “Toh mein toh bohot si cheeze Govinda ki aaj tak as an actor as a person matlab mein kabhi burai kabhi nai karuga. Uske kaam ko leke, uske surrounding ko leke mein baat karta hu.”He also pointed out how outside influence sometimes unsettles the star. “Uski soch na kabhi kabhi gadbad hojati hain kyuki logo ko sun sun ke…woh feeding hojati hain aur woh maan jaata hain.”On whether Ssunita currently manages Govinda’s professional matters, Nihalani replied, “Pata nai woh toh mujhe. Mein toh bhola bhaiya, woh toh kabhi alag hoge nai.”Addressing the divorce reports, he clarified, “Kisine bola woh divorce bhi file kiye…mein bola ‘they are like buddies’…as a family bolo, as a work partner socho…kabhi mein aisa dono ke beech mein dekha nai.”The producer also recalled how Govinda’s relationship was kept so private that even he came to know about it much later. “Mujhe maalum hi nai tha. Shaadi bhi hogayi woh bhi nai maalum tha…86 ke baad hi kiya usne lekin mujhe nai maalum tha.” He added, “Zaroori nai hain na ki share kare…Humlog set pe hi milte hain.”
