MUMBAI: Bollywood actor Govinda has drawn renewed attention after attending a Ganpati puja at Mumbai’s Lalbaugcha Raja with his Roopa co-star Komal Rani Swarnkar, prompting actress and internet personality Rakhi Sawant to publicly criticise his decision.
Rakhi addressed Govinda in videos shared on Instagram, questioning why he attended the religious gathering with Komal instead of his wife, Sunita Ahuja. She said Govinda should have attended the event with Sunita, whom she described as having spent decades with the actor and raising their children.
Rakhi added that she had supported Govinda in the past but said she disagreed with his decision in this situation. She also urged him to maintain his relationship with Sunita.
The controversy follows Govinda’s visit to Lalbaugcha Raja on September 22, where he and Komal offered prayers and participated in the final aarti. Sunita had visited the same venue separately earlier that day.
Govinda and Komal’s public appearances have generated speculation about their relationship, but neither has publicly confirmed that they are romantically involved. Govinda’s manager has previously rejected reports suggesting that the actor plans a second marriage.
The recent visit also sparked online speculation after Komal was seen with vermilion on her forehead. Reports and a fact-check indicated that the vermilion appeared to have been applied during the religious ritual and did not establish that the pair had married.
Rakhi’s comments come amid renewed public discussion about Govinda and Sunita’s marriage, with Sunita also making remarks about people being untrustworthy without directly naming Govinda or Komal.
Govinda and Komal Rani are set to appear together in the upcoming film Roopa, which is expected to mark Govinda’s return to the big screen after several years.