Pati-patni aur ‘wow’! Vicky Kaushal defies serious, sober image; freaks out in OTT ‘crimedy’ Govinda Naam Mera!

By Chaitanya Padukone

If the latest engaging trailer of the upcoming quirky crime-thriller romantic-comedy OTT venture ‘Govinda Naam Mera’ is any indication, the movie has all the potential massy pulp-masala to create historic records. Co-produced by Dharma Productions (showman Karan Johar) and Viacom 18 Studios the “original content” movie written and directed by Shashank Khaitan will start streaming on Disney+ Hotstar from December 16. The movie ‘Govinda…’ sparkles with the frothy vibes witnessed in past ‘crimedy’ hit movies like ‘Lootcase and ‘Andhadhun’. The ensemble star-cast of ‘ Govinda Naam Mera’, comprising Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, and Kiara Advani in ‘Govinda Naam Mera’ indulge in a one-upmanship devious game only to get tangled into a wacko- web.

While macho Vicky plays the role of a struggling talented choreographer Govinda in ‘Govinda Naam Mera’, vivacious Bhumi plays the role of his sensuous wife Gauri, and gorgeous Kiara Advani his hottie girlfriend Suku. A twisted love story and ultimate chaos are what Govinda’s life mainly revolved around.

Exploring the happy-go-lucky laid-back life of Govinda, the crime-comedy thriller takes viewers on a chaotic ride of laughter, romance, and thrills. Sandwiched between his marriage with bold, brazen Gauri and besotted love for his vivacious girlfriend, Suku, the three actors come together for an unconventional love triangle with dramatic turns and twists. Vicky’s character finds himself caught between his bullying wife, an unhappy mother & a girlfriend who wants to desperately marry him. It’s all fun and games until he discovers that he may end up losing his inheritance, the ancestral bungalow in which he lives.

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Director Shashank Khaitan added, “I love creating films that cater to family audiences. Govinda Naam Mera is rooted in comedy, romance, and dance, making it a family watch. With the holiday season kickstarting where families often watch movies together, the idea was to bring a movie close to the audience through Disney+ Hotstar that will implore a whirlwind of emotions as you hold your bellies!”

‘Sardar Udham’ macho-hero Vicky Kaushal on being a part of this image-defying film said, “Am very excited to collaborate with Shashank for a fun-tastic story where my title-role screen-character Govinda does ‘not’ have to indulge in rona-dhona. It also allows me to dance crazily to rhythmic songs and perform romantic scenes. Lakhs of my fans and most of my relatives were eager to see me dance and romance on-screen and shed my serious-sober image seen as in my recent patriotic-themed movies.  We’ve made this film with all our hearts, and it makes me happy to finally bring it to my audiences. My association with Karan and Dharma has always been special and with Disney+ Hotstar on board, it only gets better!”

Actor Bhumi Pednekar said, “The journey of Govinda Naam Mera has been super- fun and ‘masst’ so far. I am nervous and excited at the same time as it’s a different genre for me to play a hot and happening yet munh-fatt bold and beautiful wife and I can’t wait to see what the viewers think of it.”

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Mascot star Kiara Advani, recalling the fun vibes from the set, said, “Govinda Naam Mera is our labor of love. Dharma is home and this film further strengthens my association with them. Suku was an exciting multi-layered seductive character to take on. I hope the audiences enjoy the film as much as we did making it.”

When quizzed as to why their top-ensemble-star-cast pulp-masala movie was being released on an OTT platform, and ‘not’ in cinema theatres, co-producer Karan Johar had his valid rationale.  “When our movie ‘Govinda Naam Mera would start main-streaming on ‘sabse wide’ streaming media leader Disney+ Hotstar platform, it would be catering to a much larger and worldwide mega-segment of viewers, as compared to the limited seating capacity and a number of shows in Pan-India cinema theatres”, justified Karan Johar.

(The writer Chaitanya Padukone is an eminent award-winning senior film-journalist-author)