Why Sush and Govinda are trendy

Subhash K Jha

Director David Dhawan's last comic offering starring Govinda, Jodi No 1, was a damp squib at the box office, thanks to its jaded gags.

Not that he is perturbed. Barely a few months later, the duo have returned, hoping to garner giggles and guffaws with Kyonki... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta.

The film sees former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen team up with an increasingly plump Govinda. Yet, the two seem to sizzle on screen.

Industry sources add that Sushmita has given Govinda a run for his money. "She's the surprise package in Kyonki.... You simply can't tell the difference in the physical and temperamental makeup of the two. Govinda may be far shorter than Sushmita, but Dhawan made her look at ease even when working with Salman Khan in Biwi No 1. "

Biwi No 1 saw Sushmita garner almost every popular award in 2000. Yet, the two had apparently decided never to work together after a verbal altercation during its shoot.

Now, though, the two have made up. And trade pundits again predict a truckload of awards for the actress.

Govinda is in desperate need of a hit after the non-performance of his recent films (Shikari, Jodi No 1 and last week's Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya).

Kyonki..., a liberal adaptation of Tom Shadyac's Jim Carrey-starrer Liar Liar, originally had Shah Rukh Khan in the lead. When Khan backed off due to prior commitments, the coast was clear for Dhawan's favourite star Govinda.

The duo have earlier collaborated on Raja Babu, Shola Aur Shabnam, Aankhen, Hero No 1 and Coolie No 1.

Kyonki... was earlier called Sajan Re Jhooth Mat Bolo. However, producers Jeetendra and daughter Ekta Kapoor, who are 'numerologically' attached to the letter 'K', wanted the title to begin with their auspicious letter. All of Ekta's television serials begin with the letter 'K', including the immensely popular Kyonki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi.

"In any case," Ekta says, "the earlier title sounded too old fashioned. This one is more trendy."

Will Kyonki... break the recent jinx on comedy films?

This year hasn't been too kind to comedies, what with Dhawan's Jodi No 1, E Niwas' Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega and Harry Baweja's Mujhe Meri Biwi Se Bachao bombing at the BO.

The last successful comedy was Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri a year ago. Priyadarshan has another comedy, Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar, lined up for release next month.

Incidentally, Dhawan's film is slated for release on September 21, the same day as Abbas-Mustan's much-postponed suspense thriller Ajnabee starring Akshay Kumar, Bobby Deol, Kareena Kapoor and Bipasha Basu.

Indo-Asian News Service

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