There is nothing unique, different or remarkable about Govinda Naam Mera. It comes across as a mish-mash of hundreds of films one may have watched in the past—a thriller where the protagonist tries every trick in the book to get out of the mess he finds himself in. In fact, if anything, the film does not even offer moments of genuine humour, hardly engages the mind, and leaves very little to take home.
Govinda Naam Mera is a film that is best forgotten as soon as the end credits begin to roll. Like every other Dharma film in the recent past—from Brahmastra to Liger to Jugjugg Jeeyo—this one too, banks on the charms of its lead star rather than a meaty, meaningful, and strong script. At the centre of the story is Govinda Waghmare (Vicky Kaushal), a budding Bollywood dancer-cum-choreographer who is miserably down on his luck. His wicked and domineering wife Gauri (Bhumi Pednekar) mistreats him at home, the house help leaves no stone unturned to humiliate him, his girlfriend Suku (Kiara Advani) exploits him for money and his mother (Renuka Shahane) pressurises him to stake claim to a palatial bungalow worth crores, located right in the heart of Mumbai. So here is our emasculated hero, who is also struggling at the hands of goons, a vile police officer and his father's first wife and her family who are after him over a piece of property.
While this is a largely fun, masala plot, it is the frills around it that make it a cumbersome watch. Sequences seem disjointed, music is inserted where it is totally unnecessary, irrelevant and hardly noteworthy. The first half comes across as stretchy, boring, and languorous. It is in the second half that some action begins to set in. Anti-climaxes in quick succession keep the viewer gripped. But again, that is short-lived too. No amount of thumkas and matkas, flirtatious looks and skimpy clothes, and not even the electrifying chemistry between Advani and Kaushal can make one sit through this film; forget a re-watch.
Given the title of the film, one is reminded of Govinda, the 90s actor known best for his comedy with which he could effortlessly elevate films revolving around nonsensical plots and over-the-top characters to entertaining affairs. Unfortunately, this movie does not come anywhere close to the comedy movies of the 90s.
'Govinda Naam Mera' movie cast: Vicky Kaushal, Bhumi Pednekar, Kiara Advani
'Govinda Naam Mera' movie director: Shashank Khaitan
'Govinda Naam Mera' movie rating: 2 stars
