Not just that, the actor claimed that the film got its name, courtesy of him.
In an interview with Mukesh Khanna, the Hero No. 1 actor mentioned that his words had often resulted in positive outcomes for others. He said, “I even left an offer of ₹
21.5 crore, although I remember this because it was painful.”
He recalled an incident where he mentioned that he 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. As a result, he made him meet James Cameron and was invited to discuss a film opportunity over dinner.
The 61-year-old said that he once saw Rajesh Khanna in a role where his left hand was missing and wondered why such a good actor took on such a strange role. That’s when he predicted, “There will be a sequel, and it will be called Avatar!”
He then shared that James Cameron told him, “The hero is lame!” To which Govinda responded, “Lame? Govinda? Hello? I am not doing your film!” Cameron offered him ₹18 crore, but Govinda refused, saying, “I don’t want your ₹18 crore.”
Cameron then mentioned that the shooting would last 410 days, to which Govinda agreed, but he had one concern that, “If I paint my body, I will end up in the hospital!”
The sci-fi film was released in 2009, with Sam Worthington and Zoe Saldana in the lead roles. The sequel, The Way of Water, was released on December 16, 2022.
The third instalment is likely to be released in theatres in 2025, while Avatar 4 and 5 are scheduled for 2029 and 2031, respectively.
Govinda was recently in the headlines for his rumoured divorce from his wife Sunita.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
