Mumbai, 7 April 2025: Two veteran Bollywood stars Sanjay Dutt and Govinda were once each other’s best friends. In the 80s and 90s, their pair rocked the big screen, but with time this friendship turned into bitter enmity. The bitterness between the two grew so much that the matter reached the underworld don. This story is not only about the relationship of two stars, but also about the era when the relationship between Bollywood and the underworld was in the headlines.

A golden period: Friendship and films

Sanjay Dutt and Govinda’s film journey started in the 80s. Both made a place in the hearts of the audience with their strong acting. While working together, they gave films like ‘Jeete Hain Shaan Se’ (1987), ‘Do Qaidi’ (1989), ‘Taaqatwar’ (1989), ‘Andolan’ (1995), ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi’ (1999), ‘Jodi No. 1’ (2001) and ‘Ek Aur Ek Gyarah’ (2003). In these films, Sanjay’s rough-tough image and Govinda’s comic timing appealed to the audience. Off-screen too, the two had a deep friendship, but this relationship could not last long.

Beginning of the rift: That incident of ‘Ek Aur Ek Gyarah’

The film ‘Ek Aur Ek Gyarah’ released in 2003 proved to be the last joint film of the two. Directed by David Dhawan, this film was a hit at the box office, but an incident on its set became the reason for sourness in their relationship. According to sources, during the shooting, Govinda had requested David to make a change in a scene. David did not listen to him. When this news reached Sanjay, he took the director’s side. Govinda did not like this and this was the first crack in their friendship.

Underworld’s interference: Leaked call created a ruckus

The tension between the two increased further when an alleged call recording of Sanjay surfaced. In this, he was heard complaining about Govinda to underworld don Chota Shakeel. Sanjay said that Govinda comes late on the set, which causes loss to the producer. According to reports, after this Chota Shakeel called Govinda and instructed him to reach the set on time. This incident not only broke their relationship, but also exposed the Bollywood-underworld nexus of that time.

Govinda later spoke openly about this in an interview. He said, “I have turned sour towards Sanjay. What happened was not worth friendship.” This comment of his testifies to the end of their relationship.

What was the real reason?

Film industry experts believe that this fight was not limited to just an argument on the set. At that time, Sanjay Dutt’s name was being linked to the underworld, especially after the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts. Their call recording forced Govinda to think whether their friendship was ever true. Film critic Rajesh Sharma says, “This was not just a fight between two stars. This was the reality of that era, when the shadow of the underworld was deep on Bollywood.”

Broken trust, broken pair

After ‘Ek aur Ek Gyarah’, Sanjay and Govinda were never seen together. While Sanjay took his identity to new heights with films like ‘Munnabhai MBBS’ and ‘Vastav’, Govinda maintained his supremacy in comedy. But fans still want to see that magical pair together again. A Mumbai fan, Ajay Mehta, says, “Watching their films gave both laughter and thrill. Their enmity took away that happiness from us.”

Is reconciliation possible?

Will Sanjay and Govinda ever be able to revive their old friendship? This question is in the mind of every person who has been crazy about this pair. However, both of them have not said anything about each other publicly in the last few years. Industry sources say that bitterness may reduce with time, but that chapter of the underworld will hardly bring the two closer again.

The pair lives in memories

The pair of Sanjay Dutt and Govinda was a golden part of the 80s and 90s. Their films still make the audience laugh and tickle. But this story of their friendship turned enmity tells the truth of Bollywood, where both relationships and rivalries are as dramatic as the big screen. Will this pair ever come together again? This question is hidden in the womb of time, but their films and memories will always remain alive in the hearts of the fans.