They’re Prejudiced: Govinda on Trolls Questioning His Avatar Tale

In an interview on Aap Ki Adalat, Govinda claimed that James Cameron had offered him a role in ‘Avatar’.

Actor Govinda became the target of several jokes on social media after declaring in an appearance on television show Aap Ki Adalat that director James Cameron had approached him for a role in his 2009 science fiction film Avatar. “I suggested the title ‘Avatar’ for the film,” he told host Rajat Sharma, clarifying that he turned it down since the shoot schedule was 410 days. He also said that he wasn’t comfortable with his body being covered with paint.

The onslaught of memes appears to have touched a nerve with the actor who told Bombay Times that while people were justified in wondering why he turned down the role, it was prejudiced of them to question whether he had been offered the role at all. He said,

“It’s not like meri aukad nahi hai. This is prejudiced behivour. Chai wala aagey kaise badh sakta hain (How does a tea seller get ahead in life?)? TV actors films mein kaise aa sakte hain (How do TV actors star in films?)? This is that same elitist superiority complex. Yeh galat hai (This is wrong). Aapko vishwas nahi karna hai toh mat kijiye (If you don’t want to believe me, don’t believe me) but don’t say things like this.”

Govinda, Actor

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Didn’t Want Body Painted: Govinda on Why He Refused to Do ‘Avatar’

He went on to say that he's used to being made a "laughing stock" even after his films proved to be a success. He lamented that he ended up being labelled a “comedy actor" and wasn't taken seriously.

Govinda has also claimed he turned down a role, which eventually went to Anil Kapoor, in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire. When asked about it he told the publication that the director approached him after 2007's Partner when he was experiencing a slump in his career. "I didn't do that film, but told him it will do well. I loved the thought of the film that you don't have to be highly educated to make it big in life, you have to be street-smart. However, I had two objections with that film – the poop scene in the beginning and the title. I wasn't comfortable with the word 'slumdog' and that scene," he said.