Mumbai: Actor Govinda has responded to his wife Sunita Ahuja’s recent “sugar daddy” remark, which was linked to his Roopa co-star Komal Rani Swarnkar.
Addressing the controversy, Govinda expressed his displeasure over Sunita’s comments and urged her to refrain from making statements that could affect his reputation and professional life.
“Jo kaam baahar mujhe milta hai, woh main karta nahin hoon, aur jo main kar raha hoon, usmein aap hastakshep kar rahi hain. Aur jab aap apna kaam kar rahi thi, chahe woh khaane ka show tha, chahe woh lockdown tha, Tina se kehkar dono shows mein aapne aise-vaise, yen-ken-prakaren mujhe bulvaya aur mujhse sevaayein lein. Khair, woh toh aapka haq hai. (I do not take up every opportunity that comes my way, and yet you are interfering in the work I am currently doing. When you were working, whether it was your food show or during the lockdown, you used your contacts to invite me to both programmes and took my support. Of course, that was your right),” he said.
He further accused Sunita of trying to damage his reputation at a time when he has started working on a new film.
“Aur jis waqt maine film shuru ki hai, aap ek bhi kasar nahin chhod rahi hain ki main logon ke dil se utar jaaun, badnaam ho jaaun ya kuch aisa ho jaaye ki mera business na ho. (Now that I have started a film, you are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that I lose public support, get defamed, or face losses in my work),” Govinda said.
The actor also addressed criticism over his age and his pairing with younger actresses, arguing that leading actors have continued to work with younger co-stars and maintain a youthful image on screen.
“Umar ka yeh jo silsila aapne chalaaya hai, to main aapki jaankari ke liye punah yaad dila doon ki desh ke sabhi bade kalakaron ne un sabhi ladkiyon ke saath kaam kiya jo youngsters rahi hain. Unhein achchi filmein, naam, shohrat aur izzat mili… (Since you have repeatedly raised the issue of age, let me remind you that many leading actors in the country have worked with younger actresses. Those actresses gained opportunities, recognition and success…),” he said.
Govinda also claimed that a group was attempting to tarnish his image and urged Sunita to stop making public remarks about him.
“Aapke peeche jo group hai, jo gang hai, unse sabhi waqif hain. Aur mujhe lagta hai ki woh waqfiyat bahut zyada khulkar saamne aa jaayegi. To aapke liye bhi yeh cheez shobha nahin degi. (Everyone is aware of the group behind you, and I believe the truth will eventually come out. That would not reflect well on you either),” he said.
Appealing to Sunita to maintain boundaries, Govinda added, “Aap kripya aise bayaan dekar yeh jo podcast chala rahi hain aur yeh jo beizzati ki ja rahi hai… aap thoda sa apni had mein rahiye. Aisi aapse prarthana hai. (I request you to stop making such statements and publicly insulting me through these podcasts. Please maintain some boundaries.)”
The actor also took exception to what he described as Sunita’s use of abusive language.
“Aur haan, main specially yeh punah kahunga. Sunita ji, aap bahut zyada maa-behen ki gaaliyaan dene lagi hain. (Sunita ji, you have started using far too many abusive expressions),” Govinda said.
He further urged her to be mindful of the influence her words could have on younger people.
“Youngsters jo hain, aapse ummeed karte hain ki aap jis tarah se vyavahaar karenge, they will follow it… (Young people look up to you and often follow what they see),” he said.
Govinda and Komal have recently grabbed attention with their joint appearances while promoting their upcoming film Roopa.
The duo was first spotted together at Mumbai airport, months after Sunita had hinted that the woman allegedly involved with her husband was a newcomer named Komal.
Govinda was seen with the actress again on Friday, bringing the earlier allegations back into the spotlight.
