He then appeared in subsequent hits including Ilzaam (1986), Marte Dam Tak (1987), Khudgarz (1987), Dariya Dil (1988), Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni (1989), Swarg (1990) and Hum (1991).

[16][17] After Govinda received a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Vartak College, Vasai, his father suggested a career in films.

Around this time, Govinda saw the film Disco Dancer (1982); afterward, he practiced for hours and circulated a promotional VHS cassette.

In 1992, he starred in David Dhawan's action romantic comedy film Shola Aur Shabnam opposite actress Divya Bharti.

Govinda played the lead role of Raja, a wealthy villager, who falls in love with a girl but she rejects him upon learning about his background.

Featuring a cast of familiar actors Karisma Kapoor, Kader Khan, and Shakti Kapoor, along with Harish Kumar, Sadashiv Amrapurkar and Mahesh Anand, the film follows the story of Raju (Govinda), a coolie (labourer), who pretends to be a millionaire to marry an arrogant rich man's daughter, but he ends up falling in love with her.

1, alongside Karisma Kapoor and an ensemble supporting cast of Paresh Rawal, Kader Khan, Satish Shah, among others.

In the film, Govinda features as a wealthy business heir who hatches a plan to win the hearts of his girlfriend's family by working as a servant at their home.

Including the cast members Raveena Tandon, Kader Khan, Johnny Lever and Asrani, the film became one of the biggest hits of 1998.

The film's soundtrack was also a major hit, with songs like “Suno Sasurjee Ab Zidd Chhodo” and “Akhiyon Se Goli Maare” becoming significantly popular.

The film starred an ensemble cast with Amitabh Bachchan and Govinda playing dual roles as a police officer and thief each while also featuring actors Raveena Tandon, Ramya Krishnan, Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal and Sharat Saxena.

The song “Kisi Disco Mein Jaaye”, featuring Govinda dancing in his trademark style along with Raveena Tandon, was a chartbuster.

[citation needed] In 1999, Govinda starred in the comedy Anari No.1, depicting the story of a waiter named Raju kidnapping his rich lookalike Rahul, along with his girlfriend.

Also featuring Sanjay Dutt, Karisma Kapoor and Pooja Batra, with Anupam Kher, Kader Khan, Aruna Irani, and Paresh Rawal in supporting roles, it released on 25 June 1999 with positive critical reception and went on to become the fifth-highest-grossing Hindi film of 1999.

Directed by Manoj Agrawal, and starring alongside Rani Mukerji, the film features Govinda in the role of a clumsy detective who takes a trip to Europe to investigate his friend's case.

Govinda and Dutt play the roles of Veeru and Jai respectively, two best friends and conmen, on the run from a local goon.

He received nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Comedian for Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta (2001) and Akhiyon Se Goli Maare (2002).

He won a seat in Parliament from Mumbai North by defeating five-time MP Ram Naik, a former Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, by over 50,000 votes in the 2004 general election.

Govinda made a comeback to films in 2006 with the comedy Bhagam Bhag (directed by Priyadarshan), in which he appeared with Akshay Kumar and Lara Dutta.

Govinda played Raju, a taxi driver who helps the Caucasian Stephanie (Esra) who is frantically trying to find her lover.

[43] His second release that year was David Dhawan's comedy Partner co-starring Salman Khan, Lara Dutta and Katrina Kaif.

The previously made Jahan Jaaeyega Hamen Paaeyega was directed by his nephew Janmendra alias Dumpy, who was 17 years of age at that time.

The same year, Salman Khan invited Dhawan and Govinda on his show, 10 Ka Dum, to celebrate the success of Partner.

[45] Govinda rejoined Dhawan and Vashu Bhagnani for Do Knot Disturb; despite good reviews from critics, it was unsuccessful at the box office.

[51] He also appeared in Rajnish Thakur's comedy, Loot, and voiced Bajrangi the monkey for Nikhil Advani's animated Delhi Safari.

[52] He made his Bengali film debut as a deputy inspector general of police in Dipak Sanyal's Samadhi, co-starring Gracy Singh and Sayali Bhagat, another box office failure.

[80] His last theatrical release, Rangeela Raja in which he played a dual role in 2019, was panned by critics and audiences, and managed to recover only 1% of its budget.

Singh's sister-in-law, Sunita Munjal, fell in love with Govinda at this time, and they were married on 11 March 1987, with their marriage remaining a secret for four years.

The Thane district collector said in an interview that Govinda had committed money from his "local area development fund" (allocated to each MP by the government) to construct anganwadis and solve drinking-water problems in Vasai and Virar but administrative approval was delayed.

[95][96][97][98] Govinda has stated on multiple occasions that he was offered Sam Worthington's role in the 2009 film Avatar directed by James Cameron.