Govinda worried about the ethics of dating 15-year-old Sunita when she was 21: “Mujhe laga yeh bahut choti hai”

by James · March 9, 2023

Govinda and Sunita were married on 11 March 1987 and have two children, Yashvardhan and Tina Ahuja.

govinda's birthday Govinda and Sunita Ahuja have been married for over 35 years. (Photo: Express Archives)

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Actor Govinda and his wife Sunita Ahuja spoke about their love story and how it started. Sunita was said to have made the first move after a relative, who was also related to Govinda, gave her a challenge to impress Govinda. In a new interview, she mentioned that she had to spend a year trying to seduce Govinda before they got into a relationship. At that time, Sunita was 15 years old, which worried Govinda as she was about 21 years old. He was concerned about how it might appear to the public and whether he was crossing an ethical line. They tied the knot on March 11, 1987 when Sunita was 18 years old.

Speaking to Bollywood Bubble, Govinda said, “Itni zyada yeh choti thi aur modern thi toh main darr raha tha ki aaj ki tareekh mein iss age mein log pyar karne lageinge toh kahenge is a child molester. He was 15, I was 21. Toh bahut chote the hum log. Toh maine kaha ‘aap bahut choti hai, pata hai ki kya keh rahi ho?’ He said “haan mujhe sab pata hai aur main chah rahi hoon ki… I love you”. Mujhe aisa laga yeh bahut choti hai yaar, yeh kya keh rahi hai (It was small and modern and nowadays if we fall in love you’d be called a child molester. We were very young then. So I said you’re very young you know what you are He said yes and I love you I was like what does he say ).

Govinda said they started dancing together at the mahurat of a film and continued to do so at weddings and other functions. He recalled that they first held hands when they left a couple in the same car. He said, “Gadi chal rahi hai, gold inka haath mer haath pe touch ho gaya. Phir mujhe mehsoos hua ki yeh haath hata hi nahi rahi hai. Phir isne pakad liya haath, maine kaha ‘hai’, ab iska haath main chhudwata toh bahut ajeeb lagta. Maine socha Punjabi aadmi hoon, haath pakad liya hai toh chalo pakad hi lete hain. This is the first time that (Sunita said we “touched each other”)… gadi mein romance shuru hua. Usi gaadi mein first hum logo ne pyar ka izhaar kiya (The car was moving and our hands accidentally touched. He didn’t take his hand but held my hand. I thought if I let him go it will look weird. I am Punjabi so I thought maybe and still holding hands. In the same car we expressed our feelings for each other)…”

Govinda and Sunita have two children, Yashvardhan and Tina. Govinda is planning to introduce Yashvardhan in films soon as Sunita had revealed earlier. His debut was stalled due to the COVID-19 lockdown. He also added that Yashvardhan is preparing for his debut and is improving his physique.