When Govinda fell for Neelam despite being engaged to Sunita
What's the story
Celebrated Bollywood actor of the 1990s, Govinda first met co-actor Neelam Kothari on the set of his debut film Love 86 in 1986.
Despite their contrasting backgrounds—Kothari an upcoming star from Hong Kong and Govinda a newcomer from Virar—the actor found himself increasingly attracted to her.
However, Kothari had no idea that Govinda was already engaged to Sunita Ahuja at this time.
Love triangle
Govinda's confession about his feelings for Kothari
In 1990 during a conversation with Stardust, Govinda confessed his feelings for Kothari. He said, "And we had so many films together. We met so often and the more I got to know her, the more I liked her."
"She was the kind of woman any man would have lost his heart to. I lost mine."
Meanwhile, Ahuja knew about Govinda's growing affection toward Kothari as he couldn't stop praising her even to Ahuja herself.
Relationship strain
'I would tell Sunita to change and become like Neelam'
Govinda's admiration for Kothari took a toll on his relationship with Ahuja.
He confessed, "I couldn't stop praising her. To my friends, to my family. Even to Sunita, to whom I was committed."
"I would tell Sunita to change herself and become like Neelam. I would tell her to learn from her. I was merciless."
This prompted Ahuja to retort, "You fell in love with me because of what I am, don't ever try to change me."
Manipulation admission
Govinda's calculated involvement with Ahuja and Kothari
Govinda admitted his relationship with Ahuja was a calculated move and started on his brother's advice to gain romantic experience.
He confessed, "Then, I met Sunita. I admit that my involvement with her was a calculated move on my part."
He also accepted exploiting his relationship with Kothari for professional gains, saying he should have informed her about his marital status.
Broken engagement
When Govinda called off his engagement with Ahuja
At one point, realizing the damage he had caused, Govinda tried to end his engagement with Ahuja.
During a heated argument when Ahuja mentioned Kothari, an enraged Govinda decided to break off their engagement.
He confessed, "I asked Sunita to leave me. I broke off my engagement with her."
"And had Sunita not called me after five days and coaxed me into it again, I would probably have married Neelam."
Duty-bound decision
'I wanted to marry her'
Despite his feelings for Kothari, Govinda eventually married Ahuja out of duty, not love.
He said, "Just because I had fallen in love elsewhere, I couldn't overlook my commitment toward Sunita."
"If there was no sense of duty in a man, this would go on."
He also admitted Kothari might not have married him, given their vastly different backgrounds and her career focus.
Meanwhile, Govinda and Ahuja are currently battling divorce rumors after 37 years of marriage.