The long-standing claim by actor Govinda that he was offered the lead role in James Cameron's Avatar has resurfaced, and this time, his wife Sunita Ahuja is weighing in. Govinda has stated in multiple interviews that he turned down the role, which ultimately went to Sam Worthington, citing concerns about the character being "handicapped" and the extensive body paint required. He also claimed that he suggested the title Avatar to Cameron himself.
Recently, Govinda reiterated these claims in an interview with Mukesh Khanna, stating that he was offered ₹18 crore for a 410-day shoot. He said he declined due to the character's disability and the potential health risks associated with prolonged body paint application, fearing hospitalization. He recalled meeting Cameron through a businessman in America and even recounted how he suggested the name Avatar, inspired by seeing Rajesh Khanna with a shortened arm in a film.
These assertions have been met with skepticism over the years. While Govinda stands by his story, some industry insiders have cast doubt on its veracity. Pahlaj Nihalani, who directed Govinda's debut film, suggested that the actor might be confusing the Hollywood blockbuster with a Hindi film titled Avatar that Nihalani himself had planned to direct with Govinda but later abandoned.
Amidst this renewed attention on Govinda's Avatar claim, his wife, Sunita Ahuja, has broken her silence. While her direct quote, "Jhooth Ka Saath Nahi Dungi," can be interpreted in several ways without further context, it seems to imply that she won't support or perpetuate a falsehood. Whether this is directly related to the Avatar claim is not explicitly stated in available reports, but the timing suggests a connection.
It's important to note that James Cameron and his representatives have never publicly confirmed or denied offering the Avatar role to Govinda. The actor's claims remain largely based on his own accounts. The technology used to create the Na'vi in Avatar involved CGI and motion capture, which negates the need for full body paint as Govinda described, which further casts shadow on the claims. The actors wore special suits and facial rigs to capture even the smallest expressions, making the Na'vi characters feel incredibly lifelike.
The Avatar went on to become a global phenomenon, grossing over $2 billion and setting new standards for filmmaking. Whether Govinda was indeed offered the lead role remains a topic of debate, fueled by the actor's repeated assertions and now, the intriguing stance of his wife. The truth behind the story, like many tales in Bollywood, may be more complex than it appears.
