When Govinda spoke about his drastic weight loss: Dharmendra ji has been my role model, I see glimpses of him in myself

Govinda

Last night, Govinda was rushed to Mumbai’s CritiCare Hospital in Juhu after an alarming fainting episode at his residence. The actor, 61, reportedly lost consciousness around 8:30 pm and was admitted to the emergency ward around 1 am following disorientation and weakness, as confirmed by his legal advisor, Lalit Bindal. “He was feeling disoriented.

All tests are done, and we are now awaiting reports and opinion of neuro consultation. He is stable now,” Bindal told India Today.

Just about a year ago, Govinda had suffered a gunshot wound to his leg. The bullet was extracted in an hour-long operation. These incidents serve like a reminder of the physical toll that decades of stardom can exact.

In the 1990s, Govinda was one of Bollywood’s busiest stars, juggling dance-heavy comedy hits like Hero No 1 and Partner, often filming multiple projects simultaneously. That grueling pace came with its share of health burdens, from weight gains and muscle fatigue to the lack of time for self-care.

After years of grueling shoot schedules, came a turning point in Govinda’s life, when he decided to have some serious lifestyle changes. He underwent remarkable transformation over the years.

Also Read: Do you know Dharmendra's production house Vijayta Films was named after his daughter?

By the mid-2000s, Govinda embarked on a lifestyle overhaul. “Yoga has changed my life. No matter what my schedule, I've to do yoga every morning. I feel the difference within me,” he had said in an interview in 2008. “It’s not about just losing weight… I lost a lot of weight earlier this year when I was shooting in Bangkok with Suniel Shetty for Loot. Yoga is about self-discipline, about toning the body. I feel myself losing inches around my waist. I feel fitter.”

Govinda deeply admired Dharmendra and he aspired to be as fit as him. When asked what is his fitness goal, he had said, “To look as healthy, handsome and fit as Dharam-ji (Dharmendra) did in his heydays. He has always been my role model. And now when I look at myself in the mirror I see glimpses of him in myself. That makes me feel really good.”

In another interview with Rediff in 2007, he had said, “I weighed 107 kilos when Sukh was released. I had become like a South Indian comedian. Bahut gaaliyan padi, ghar se bhi aur bahar se bhi. So I built a gym at home. I got all the hi-tech machines and would exercise for two hours every day, followed by yoga for 30 minutes. I am on the treadmill for half hour. I also skip a lot.”

He stressed a diet pivot, “I am keeping a check on my diet too. I have managed to lose 22 kilos and now I weigh 85 kilos. I want to reduce to 75 kilos and I will do it.”

In 2011, Govinda lost 28 kilos for Naughty @ 40. The actor sported a slimmer look, and he was enthused that he’s working hard to lose eight more kilos. “It was important for me to change many things about my lifestyle. The difficult part is to become obstinate that you’ve to lose a lot of weight,” he told Hindustan Times.

He also affirmed his belief in Ayurveda and natural healing methods, an approach that helped him balance not just body, but mind.

After recovering from COVID, he spoke to Pinkvilla and shared how mental health is equally important. “I would suggest everyone to look after their sanity and mental health, and to not let anything affect your morale, especially those who suffer with high blood pressure. Because negative emotions can affect your health, and you cannot let that happen at this point.”

He could not emphasise more on the benefits of Yoga and meditation. “Drink a lot of lukewarm water, don’t let your throat dry up, build your immune system, eat healthy and do Yoga and Pranayam. That’s what I did, and it helped me immensely too,” he added.

Govinda’s rehabilitation was never just about hitting a particular weight. It was about reclaiming his vitality after years of relentless film sets, dance routines, and high-pressure stardom.