While there is no written rule, every artiste has an sell-by date. There is nothing worse than seeing your idol over-stay his/her welcome. Govinda fans would be sad to see the actor in the kind of cinema that he is doing now.
After the disastrous Aagaya Hero (2017), Govinda played a sex-deprived, over-the-hill stage artiste in Abhishek Kapoor’s recently released FryDay. And it appears Govinda is rejoicing in playing these shady characters. The 54-year-old will be seen in a double role in his next titled Rangeela Raja, directed by Pahlaj Nihalani.
Govinda and Nihalani had first collaborated in 1986 when the latter roped him for Ilzaam. Thereafter, the duo collaborated on a couple of films including Shola Aur Shabnam (1992) and Aankhen (1993). While they reunite after 25 years for Rangeela Raja, the film does not hold much promise. The trailer only seems to suggest that this film runs the risk of being labelled a 'B' grade entertainer.
There is an ageing Raja (Govinda) in Jodhpur, who is notorious for his philandering ways. His twin brother has given up worldly pleasures and become a jogi (ascetic). Alarmed by his brother's philandering ways, the jogi takes it upon himself to help him on the path to redemption.
Now, it's been rumoured that the character of the indulgent royal is based on the disgraced liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is also known for his colourful life. If this is indeed true, he comes across as a poor one. The trailer is laden with cheesy dialogues, melodrama and sexual innuendos.
In one of the scenes, the good brother asks the king who is 'Walia'? To which the Raja replies, “Gas ke cylinder mein aur unke calendar mein, dono mein aag hi aag hove [His gas cylinder and calendar are both too hot].” An obvious reference to Vijay Mallya and his customary Kingfisher calendar that usually features scantily clad female models.
Actress Digangana Suryavanshi was seen playing Govinda's girlfriend to in FryDay. Here, she plays the Raja's wife, with Mishika Chourasia playing one of his arm candies.
We are not judging Nihalani's characters on the grounds of morality, but at a time when the #MeToo movement is raging in India, Nihalani’s Rangeela Raja is unlikely to amuse viewers, even the Govinda fans. The roles have dried for him and one wonders what does Govinda gain by playing such shady characters?
Such kind of cinema once appealed to the select single-screen audiences, but today it doesn't find much takers at the multiplexes. Aagaya Hero bombed at the box office and so did FryDay. With Nihalani at the helm, Rangeela Raja might just manage to get more screens, but will it attract any audience?
With films like Aagaya Hero and Rangeela Raja, Govinda is sadly only giving the impression that he is overstaying his welcome.
The film is set to be released on 16 November.
Watch the trailer of Rangeela Raja below: