It’s not every day you come across a story that’s as surprising as it is fascinating. One such tale has been shared by none other than Bollywood’s beloved actor, Govinda, in a recent interview on his YouTube channel with Mukesh Khanna. Govinda made a remarkable claim that has left everyone stunned – he was the first choice for James Cameron’s path-breaking film, ‘Avatar’. Not just that, Govinda also suggested the title ‘Avatar’ for the film to the acclaimed director. What’s even more astonishing is that Govinda turned down the offer to play the lead role because, as he puts it, the character was “useless”.
During the conversation, Govinda reminisced about several instances where his suggestions had a significant impact on people. He recalled an event where he met a Sikh gentleman in America and shared a business idea related to sweets and culinary delights. Years later, the gentleman informed Govinda that his idea had worked wonders for him. This meeting led to an introduction to James Cameron, who expressed interest in collaborating with Govinda on a film. Govinda invited Cameron for dinner to discuss the project further.
The Birth of ‘Avatar’
In the interview, Govinda revealed that he was the one who came up with the title ‘Avatar’ for the film. He drew inspiration from a film featuring Rajesh Khanna, where the actor had a notable role with a prosthetic limb. Govinda jokingly commented, “Why would a good guy choose such an unusual role?” He then casually mentioned, “Maybe it’ll be a second-time-around kind of film, an ‘Avatar’ of sorts.” However, when Cameron approached him with the film’s offer, Govinda was taken aback by the character’s description. He expressed his disinterest, saying, “I’m not doing your film.” Cameron tried to persuade him with an offer of 18 crore rupees, but Govinda declined, stating that the role didn’t appeal to him. When Cameron mentioned the 410-day shooting schedule, Govinda quipped, “If I have to paint my body for the film, I’ll end up in the hospital.”
The ‘Avatar’ Franchise: A Continuing Saga
For those who may not know, the first ‘Avatar’ film was released in 2009, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana in lead roles. The sequel, ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’, hit theaters on December 16, 2022. There’s more to come – the third installment is expected to release in 2025, followed by ‘Avatar 4’ in 2029 and ‘Avatar 5’ in 2031. It’s intriguing to think about what could have been if Govinda had accepted the role in the original ‘Avatar’ film. Nevertheless, the ‘Avatar’ franchise continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this epic saga.
