Govind Arun Ahuja (born December 21, 1963 in Virar, Maharashtra India), popularly known as Govinda, is an actor in Hindi
films. Starting with his debut in 1986, he has acted in over 120 Hindi films. In 2004, he joined politics, winning a parliamentary seat from Mumbai (formerly "Bombay").
Govinda was born to former 1940s actor Arun Ahuja and singer Nirmala Arun Ahuja on December 21, 1963. He studied at Annasaheb Vartak College in Vasai, Maharashtra. His elder
brother Kirti Kumar is an actor and director who appeared in some of Govinda''s films playing supporting roles and has directed his brother in some films most notably Hatya (1988). Govinda''s nephew Vinay Anand is also an actor. Govinda initially wanted to marry actress Neelam with whom he had made many films but eventually gave up and married according to his mother''s choice. He married Sunita Govind Ahuja on 11 March 1987 and has two children with her. Govinda has acted in over 100 films since his debut in 1986. He has been one of the most
successful comedy actors in Bollywood particularly during the 1990s. After a brief stint in politics in 2003 . he is attempting to make a comeback in Bollywood since 2006Govinda made his film debut in the 1986 film Ilzaam which was a box office success and launched his career.. He acted in a string of movies after that with mixed success. Most of the films he appeared in during the 1980s were in the action, romance or family drama genres. He was often paired opposite actress Neelam and together they appeared in hit films such as Love 86 (1986), Khudgarz (1987) and his brother Kirti Kumar''s directed Hatya (1988).. He had success with family drama films such as Dariya Dil (1988), Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988) and Hum (1991) as well as action films such as Marte Dam Tak (1987) and Jung Baaz.. (1989). He worked with David Dhawan for the first time in the 1989 action film Taaqatwar.
He then formed a successful collaboration with David Dhawan and went onto act in 17 movies directed by him most of which were comedy films. The most successful films during their collaboration included Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), Aankhen (1993),
Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Hero No. 1 (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999) and Jodi No. 1 (2001).. Dhawan and other directors frequently cast him opposite actresses such as Karishma Kapoor and Raveena Tandon during the 1990s.