Mumbai: Actor Govinda has addressed recent remarks made by his wife Sunita Ahuja that he did not support their son Yashvardhan Ahuja’s Bollywood career, saying he made several personal and professional sacrifices for his family and even stepped away from politics to protect them. The veteran actor said perceptions within the family that he did not use his film industry connections for his son have been misunderstood.
Govinda breaks silence on support to son
Speaking during a recent interaction with ANI, Govinda reacted to the ongoing discussion triggered by Sunita Ahuja’s interview comments, where she said their son Yashvardhan built his career path independently and did not receive help from his father despite being a star’s child.
Responding to the claim, Govinda said he has always prioritised his family’s well-being over his own career ambitions. He explained that his decision to exit politics was also driven by concern for how public life could affect his children.
He said he chose to distance himself from politics so that his family would not face any trouble or pressure because of his public role, especially his children. According to him, many people questioned why he stepped back at that time, but his decision was rooted in family considerations rather than career setbacks.
Reached out to Sajid Nadiadwala for guidance
Govinda also revealed that he did try to extend support to Yashvardhan by connecting him with established film personalities. He specifically mentioned producer Sajid Nadiadwala, saying he personally requested him to guide his son about filmmaking and the workings of the industry.
According to Govinda, Nadiadwala did offer guidance to Yashvardhan on how films are made and how work is approached professionally. However, the actor suggested that within the family there remained a feeling that he had not done enough in terms of using his relationships in the film industry to push his son forward.
He indicated that he was not consulted much beyond that and sensed an atmosphere at home where it was assumed he was not successful when it came to maintaining film industry relationships that could benefit his children’s careers.
Sunita Ahuja’s earlier remarks
The clarification comes after Sunita Ahuja, in a recent media interview, said that Yashvardhan is “self-made” and had not relied on his father’s influence despite attending numerous auditions. She stated that he had given around 90 auditions and did not ask Govinda to call or recommend him to anyone in the industry.
She also said she directly questioned Govinda about not stepping in to help their children professionally, comparing him with other film stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Suniel Shetty and Jackie Shroff, who have publicly supported their children’s film careers.
Her remarks led to widespread discussion on social media about star kids, industry access and parental backing in Bollywood.
Govinda praises Yashvardhan’s talent
While responding to the controversy, Govinda spoke positively about his son’s abilities and said he believes Yashvardhan is a very capable performer. He added that in his view, Yashvardhan could even turn out to be a better actor than him.
Yashvardhan Ahuja is currently preparing for his acting debut and is reportedly working on a film project that also features actor Nitanshi Goel, who gained recognition for her performance in Laapataa Ladies. He has also trained behind the scenes and assisted on film projects as part of his preparation.
Family and career in public focus
Govinda and Sunita Ahuja have been married since 1987 and have two children — daughter Tina Ahuja and son Yashvardhan Ahuja. Tina made her Bollywood debut in 2015 with Second Hand Husband. Yashvardhan’s launch has been in the works for some time, with the family occasionally speaking about his preparation and struggle.
Govinda, one of the biggest Hindi film stars of the 1990s, is known for hit films such as Raja Babu, Coolie No. 1, Partner, Bhagam Bhag, Dulhe Raja, Aankhen and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan. In recent years, he has appeared less frequently on screen but remains a popular public figure through television appearances and interviews.
Conclusion
Govinda’s response attempts to balance the narrative around parental support and personal choice, highlighting that his decisions — including leaving politics and approaching top producers — were made with his family’s interests in mind. As Yashvardhan Ahuja prepares for his debut, the discussion has once again spotlighted how star children navigate Bollywood — with or without visible backing from their famous parents.