Social media is always surprising. A new wave of viral videos that combined humour, incredulity, and a hint of confusion sent the internet into a frenzy just as viewers were getting comfortable with conversations about Avatar: Fire and Ash.
Videos and memes purporting to show Bollywood star Govinda making an unexpected cameo in James Cameron's most recent Avatar film started making the rounds online in the days after the film's worldwide release.
The reality, however, is far from the online chatter.
Almost immediately after the worldwide release, X and other social platforms were flooded with clips supposedly showing Govinda as a Na’vi on Pandora.
The videos show him painted blue, delivering dialogue in his trademark style, while other clips depict him on the big screen wearing a colourful jacket alongside Jake Sully.
Many fans immediately recognised the humour, but others were genuinely puzzled. Some even wondered if James Cameron had really pulled off one of the most unexpected cinematic crossovers ever.
One user joked, “Govinda wala Avatar full movie kaha dekhne milega? Sirf Insta pe hi hai?” Another wrote, “Ain’t no way James Cameron convinced Govinda to do a cameo in Avatar 3.” A third added, “Finally Govinda made biggest comeback with #AvatarFireAndAsh cameo.”
The memes quickly gained traction, dividing viewers between those enjoying the playful joke and those questioning its authenticity.
Despite how convincing the visuals appear, Govinda does not feature in Avatar: Fire and Ash at all. All the circulating videos and images are entirely AI-generated, made purely for laughs.
The joke also tapped into an old interview in which Govinda mentioned that James Cameron had once offered him a role in Avatar.
Speaking to Mukesh Khanna, he said, “I even left an offer of ₹21.5 crore, although I remember this because it was painful.” Recalling the encounter, Govinda explained, “I had met a Sardarji in America and gave him a business idea to work in sweets and delicacies. Some years later, he said that the idea worked wonders for him. There, he made me meet James Cameron. He asked me to do a film with James, so I invited them for dinner to discuss it.” He added, “Picture ka title bhi maine hi diya tha.”
Govinda revealed why he turned down the offer, saying, “He said the shoot will be for 410 days. I said that it is okay, but if I paint my body, I will be in the hospital!”
However, his wife, Sunita Ahuja, dismissed the story in a podcast with Uorfi Javed, saying, “Arey yaar mujhe toh nahi pata yeh kab offer hui, 40 saal toh mujhe hogaye hain Govinda ke saath.”
Also Read: Inside Govinda’s controversial moments in Bollywood
She added, “Vo Avatar ka director-producer kab aaya mujhe nahi malum. Hui bhi hai ki nahi mujhe nahi malum,” and firmly clarified, “Main jhooth nahi bolti naa main kisi ka side lungi. Main jhooth ka saath nahi deti.”
Directed by James Cameron, Avatar debuted in 2009, followed by The Way of Water in 2022. The latest instalment, Avatar: Fire and Ash, is currently playing in cinemas worldwide, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana.
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