Govind Namdev recalls ‘crying’ after getting axed from Dilip Kumar starrer Saudagar

Govind Namdev is currently riding high in the success of his film OMG 2. The now well-known actor started his career with the 1991 film Saudagar. In a new interview, he recalls how his friend Anupam Kher helped him bag the role and why his screen time in the film was substantially reduced upon release. 

3 things you need to know 

• Govind Namdev got his big break in the film Saudagar.
• The movie was directed by Subhash Ghai. 
• The film was headlined by actors Dilip Kumar and Raaj Kumar. 

Govind Namdev says he felt bad 

In an interview with Bollywood Hungama, Govind Namdev recalled how his role in the film was cut down as the film ran over four hours. He recalled, “I shot for 5-6 days. After the shooting was completed, I was informed that the film was running at over four hours.” H

e also added, “Then someone suggested that if they remove my track, another 15 minutes could be saved. This is how my entire character was removed.” The actor then alleged that he was not informed about this until the post-production work on the film was done.

(Govind Namdev file photo | Image: Govind Namdev/X)

Namdev claimed that he was under the impression that his role in the film remains intact but he came to know about it much later. He remembered, “I frequented their office asking, ‘Dubbing nahi karva rahe?‘ They would keep saying, ‘Haan karenge karenge (Yes, we will do it).’ Then, the post-production work was also done. I went to Ashok ji, who looked after production work, and told him that I hadn’t done my dubbing. He told me to come in the evening and when I went in the evening, he told me that since the film got quite lengthy, they cut out my character.”

Govind Namdev confesses being disturbed about his role being cut 

In the same interview, the OMG 2 actor confessed that he could not cope with what happened in the film. He recalls thinking that he was a part of International-level theatre and the main actor from the National School of Drama. He confessed to being worried about “what people would think of me”. 

He added that it took him three months to come to terms with the fact that he was not a part of the film anymore. He recalled, “ I used to cry every time. I just couldn’t stop myself from crying”. He also added that he felt embarrassed as he hjas already told everyone that he was working with the likes of Raaj Kumar and Dilip Kumar.