Director Priyadarshan has revealed he set a strict condition for actor Govinda before casting him in the 2006 comedy film "Bhaagam Bhaag." In a recent interview, Priyadarshan stated that he made Govinda, who was notoriously known for his tardiness, promise to be punctual on set as a prerequisite for signing him for the movie.
The director also addressed Govinda's habit of improvising dialogue. Priyadarshan recounted telling the actor, "Govinda used to put his own lines, so I told him, 'I'm already paying Neeraj Vohra (screenwriter), I don't need another writer.'" This comment highlights the creative tensions that could arise from Govinda's spontaneous approach to his roles.
"Bhaagam Bhaag," released in 2006, starred Govinda alongside Akshaye Khanna, Paresh Rawal, and Jackie Shroff. The film was a moderate success. Priyadarshan and Govinda have collaborated on several other popular comedies, including "Hera Pheri" (2000) and "Bhool Bhulaiyaa" (2007), though Govinda had a cameo in the latter.
Priyadarshan's recent recollections provide insight into the working dynamics of Hindi cinema during the 2000s, where star behavior often directly impacted film production schedules and directorial control.
