Mumbai: Bollywood actor Govinda, a mass entertainer of the 1990s who is known for his excellent comic timing and epic dance steps, on Thursday joined the ruling Shiv Sena in Mumbai, making a comeback in politics after a 14-year hiatus.
The former Congress Lok Sabha MP joined the Shiv Sena in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at the time of election season.
Govinda, who gave multiple superhit films in his decades-long career, made a blockbuster entry in electoral politics in 2004.
That year, the “Hero No. 1” actor emerged as a “giant killer” when, as the Congress candidate, he defeated BJP stalwart Ram Naik in the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat.
Shinde welcomed the 60-year-old actor into his party, saying he was a popular figure in all sections of society.
Speaking on the occasion, an emotional Govinda, who started his acting career in the 1980s and whose films were massy family entertainers, said after his first stint in politics from 2004 to 2009, he never felt he would again come back to the same field.
“I am back (in politics) after a 14-year-long ‘vanvas’ (exile),” he remarked.
The veteran actor, whose full name is Govinda Ahuja, said he would work in the art and culture field if given a chance.
Mumbai looks more beautiful and developed since Shinde has become CM, he remarked after his re-entry into politics, albeit under the banner of
a different political party,
which comes at a time when the country is in the midst of Lok Sabha polls.