Dancing star Govinda turns 49 today

New Delhi, Dec 20: Bollywood's dancing star and actor Govinda Ahuja has turned 49 today. On this occasion we try to unravel what made this dancing sensation the no. 1 superstar during the Nineties. Born to an actor father and a singer mother, Virar ka chhokra Govinda is a Commerce graduate. The actor tried for a steward's post at Taj Mahal hotel, but because of his poor English, he failed. It wasn't a defeat for him as he discovered a unique talent in himself. During these times, the actor was highly obsessed with disco dancer Mithun Chakraborty and made it his passion. He practised for hours and circulated a video cassette showcasing his dancing talent.‘Ilzam' established the actor as a dancing star and there was no looking back for the actor as there was a line of filmmakers offering him the lead role. Some of his greatest dance numbers which are even today followed are• Main se Meena se from Khudgarz• Main to raste se jaa raha tha, main to bhel poori kha raha tha from Coolie No.1• Aa aa ee, oo oo oo, mera dil na todo from Raja Babu• Sona kitna sona hai and Mai tujh ko bhaga laya hu tere ghar se from Hero No.1• What is mobile number… from Haseena Maan Jayegi• Sarkailo khatiya jaada lage from Raja Babu• Meri pant bhi sexy from Dulara• Lal dupattewali from Aankhen• Ankhiyon se goli mare from Dulhe Raja• Stop that from Gambler• I love you bol daal from Haseena Maan Jayegi• Chalo ishq ladaye from Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan• Kurta faad ke from Anari No.1• Makhana from Bade Miyan Chhote Miyan• Ande ka funda from Jodi No.1• Ae Raju from Hadh Kar Di Aapne• Usne bola kem chhe from Jis Des Mein Ganga Rehta Hai• Soni de nakhre sone ladge from Partner.Many of the noted choreographers including Ganesh Acharya is a big fan of Govinda He finds Govinda better than dancer actor Hrithik Roshan. Acharya remarks that “a common man could only appreciate Hrithik's moves but could not actually ape them, while Govinda dances like a common man does. That is what makes him so appealing.”But it wasn't just his dancing but also his fine acting skills which brought him into the spotlight. With great timing of comedy Govinda became one of the favourite actors of Director David Dhawan.David Dhawan in an interview has remarked that “Govinda is one of his kind; he is the best at comedy. There can be no replacement for him."There were a series Dhawan's movies which ended with suffix “No. 1” in its title namely Coolie no.1, Aunty no.1, Biwi no. 1, Hero no. 1, Jodi No.1, Anari no.1, Beti no.1. All these movies had Govinda in the lead. This also had a favourable effect on Govinda's position as he was the no. 1 actor in 1990's. The last time the actor-director duo worked together was in ‘Partner” also starring Salman Khan in the lead which went superhit allover.On his birthday we wish Govinda success in his endeavours in Bollywood.