Suniel Shetty Gave Up His Own Role to Help Govinda During Tough Times

Suniel Shetty, known for his powerful performances since his 1992 debut in Balwan, has not only made a name for himself in acting but also as a producer and entrepreneur. One of his most heartfelt gestures in Bollywood came during the making of the 2006 comedy hit Bhagam Bhag, where he sacrificed his own role to support actor Govinda during a difficult phase in his career.

Originally, Suniel Shetty was set to play the character “Babla” in Bhagam Bhag, a film he was also producing. However, when Govinda—who was then facing a dry spell in his career—approached Suniel asking for work, Shetty graciously stepped aside and offered the role to him. This decision marked the first time audiences saw Akshay Kumar and Govinda together on screen, a pairing that was well received.

Directed by Priyadarshan, Bhagam Bhag featured a star-studded ensemble including Akshay Kumar, Govinda, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Lara Dutta, Jackie Shroff, and Shakti Kapoor. Made on a budget of ₹32 crore, the film was a box office success, earning ₹67 crore worldwide.

While Govinda has been away from films since 2019 after his last outing Rangeela Raja, Suniel Shetty continues to shine. He is currently appearing in Season 2 of his action-packed web series Hunter, streaming on Prime Video, where he shares screen space with Jackie Shroff.

Suniel Shetty’s gesture not only helped revive Govinda’s career momentarily but also reflected the solidarity and compassion rarely seen in the competitive world of cinema.