Bollywood actor Govinda has made a startling claim that legendary Hollywood director James Cameron had offered him the lead role in Avatar but he turned it down. The revelation, made during an interview on Mukesh Khanna’s YouTube channel, has taken social media by storm.
Govinda’s Meeting with James Cameron
During the interview, Govinda shared that he met James Cameron in the U.S. through a businessman he had once advised. According to the actor, the businessman, a Sardarji, had benefited from Govinda’s business idea related to sweets and delicacies and later introduced him to Cameron.
“I had met a Sardarji in America and gave him a business idea to work in sweets and delicacies. Some years later, he said that the idea worked wonders for him. There, he made me meet James Cameron. He asked me to do a film with James, so I invited them for dinner to discuss it,” Govinda recalled.
Why Govinda Rejected Avatar
Govinda went on to reveal that he was offered ₹18 crore for the role but declined it because he found the character “lame” and did not want to undergo extensive body painting for the role.
He claimed that he had also suggested the title Avatar to Cameron. “The hero is lame? Govinda! Hello? I am not doing your picture!” he reportedly told the filmmaker. When Cameron explained that the shoot would take 410 days, Govinda further refused, stating, “That is okay, but if I paint my body, I will be in the hospital!”
Fact or Fiction?
Govinda’s claims have left netizens divided, with some finding the story amusing while others question its authenticity. James Cameron’s Avatar was released in 2009, starring Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana. The film became the highest-grossing movie of all time until it was surpassed by Avengers: Endgame.
Meanwhile, Avatar 2: The Way of Water hit theaters in December 2022. The third installment is set for release in 2025, followed by Avatar 4 in 2029 and Avatar 5 in 2031.
While there has been no confirmation from James Cameron or Avatar’s team regarding Govinda’s claims, the revelation has certainly stirred discussions in Bollywood and Hollywood circles alike.
Sources By Agencies
