When Govinda broke off his engagement with wife Sunita for Neelam Kothari, saying, "I asked Sunita to leave me"

Govinda’s love life has always been a topic of fascination for Bollywood enthusiasts. Known for his incredible dance moves and impeccable comic timing, the actor’s career has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. However, it’s not just his professional journey that has kept people hooked; his personal life, too, has been filled with twists and turns.

In a candid throwback interview in 1990 with Stardust, Govinda opened about one of the most controversial episodes of his life—breaking off his engagement with his now-wife, Sunita, for his co-star Neelam Kothari.

Govinda’s admiration for Neelam began during the shooting of his debut film Ilzaam in 1986. The on-screen chemistry between them was electric, and fans couldn’t get enough of seeing them together. The duo’s bond was not just limited to the camera; they shared a great rapport off-screen as well.

At that time, Govinda was already engaged to Sunita Munjal. However, he found himself so mesmerized by Neelam’s beauty and elegance that he began to develop feelings for her. The actor, who admitted that he often compared Sunita to Neelam, said it created friction between him and Sunita. Govinda even wanted Sunita to emulate Neelam’s characteristics, which only deepened the rift in their relationship. According to Govinda, “She began feeling insecure and jealous. And I was of no help. She would nag me and I would lose my temper. We had constant fights.”

The actor revealed that things reached a boiling point during one of their arguments when Sunita said something about Neelam that triggered him. In the heat of the moment, Govinda said, “I lost my head and called it quits. I asked Sunita to leave me. I broke off my engagement with her.” Despite the gravity of the situation, Sunita chose not to give up on their relationship. After a few days of silence, she reached out to Govinda, coaxing him to reconsider his decision. The actor admitted that had it not been for Sunita’s persistence, he would have probably ended up marrying Neelam.

“Had Sunita not called me after five days and coaxed me into it again, I would probably have married Neelam,” he said, reflecting on how close he was to making a decision that could have changed his entire life.

Govinda also confessed to feeling guilty about his behavior during this period. He was aware that his obsession with Neelam was leading him to mistreat Sunita. His constant comparisons and attempts to mold Sunita into becoming like Neelam were unfair, and he regrets having pushed her to that extent. The actor admitted, “I played dirty with her. I should have told her that I was married.” His attraction towards Neelam was so intense that he felt compelled to change everything about his life to accommodate those feelings.

However, things didn’t go as planned for Govinda. His engagement with Sunita may have been temporarily called off, but he never informed Neelam about his marital status. In the same interview, Govinda shared that he kept his marriage with Sunita under wraps for a long time. “Neither did Neelam know about it. She got to know only after a year. I probably did not tell her because I did not want to break this successful screen pair. And to be honest, to a certain extent, I did exploit my personal relationship with Neelam for professional ends,” the actor admitted.

While Neelam was unaware of Govinda’s marriage, the two continued to work together in several films, becoming one of the most popular on-screen couples of that time. Their pairing in movies like Love 86 and Sindoor became a rage among the audience, making them a sought-after couple for romantic roles. Despite all the on-screen success, the off-screen reality was far from perfect.

Govinda’s relationship with Sunita, however, found its footing again. They eventually tied the knot on March 11, 1987, in an intimate temple wedding ceremony, which was kept a secret from the media for four years. The couple went on to have two children—Tina Ahuja and Yashvardhan Ahuja—leading a happy and stable married life. Over time, Govinda realized that it was Sunita’s resilience and love that kept them together.

Looking back, Govinda feels that his decision to pursue Neelam was more of a fascination than love. While he admired Neelam deeply, the love he had for Sunita was built on a stronger foundation of understanding and acceptance. It was Sunita’s unwavering support during the highs and lows of his career that solidified their bond.

Despite the drama, Neelam and Govinda’s professional relationship remained cordial. The actress went on to marry businessman Samir Soni, while Govinda and Sunita continued to nurture their family. The incident serves as a reminder of how complex relationships can be and how sometimes, the heart and mind can lead us in different directions.