The time of reckoning has finally arrived. Indubitably he's today's man for all reasons. And with topliners like Rajkumar Santoshi, Shekhar Kapur and Subhash Ghai sending him more than just feelers, Govinda has enough reasons to feel kicked.

Along with streamlining his career, he's also started working on his girth. While he has miles and many films to go before he can put the brakes on his erratic schedules, he's making a Herculean attempt to get in physical shape.

Though Govinda (aka Chi Chi bhaiyya) has constantly attracted producers like fireflies to light, because of his consistent hits, success hasn't gone to his head. "I will never change. I'll remain humble even when I'm no longer at the top," he asserts.

Yes, he is rankled by the fact that actors, who entered showbiz long after him have tasted more success. "If you see my track record, I should have been in the No.1 position three years ago," he says unabashedly. "Recognition has taken a while in coming, but I'm happy now that it's here.

"Nowadays even TV channels have declared that I'm the No.1 hero today. Earlier, I was No.5 or 6 on their rating lists. Anyway, this so-called position lasts only for a few weeks so there's no point getting carried away. With one hit you're up there and with a flop you're down with a thud. That's the reason why I prefer not to make a song-`n'-dance about my success."

Govinda has consistently maintained: "When you're at the top there's only one way you can go -- downhill. So I still believe that the middle-order position is the safest. You get enough breathing space. Perhaps it's this naiveté and reasoning that have kept Govinda from indulging in planning and plotting that might have slammed him to the No.1 position earlier.

His peers, too, admit that Govinda is a fine actor. Just the other day Shah Rukh Khan was overheard commenting that he felt Govinda's performance in Coolie No 1 was impeccable, without a single false note. "That's kind of him," smiles Chi Chi shyly.

Govinda admits that he does have a career strategy. However, it doesn't involve role grabbing or stepping on anyone's toes. "I'm neither jealous nor envious of what others have. That's just not me," he says quietly.

It is true that trade pundits are quite laid-back when it comes to declaring a Govinda film a certified hit. So does he ever feel victimised? Govinda explains: "I can't help laughing when the success ratio of my films is discussed. In the first week, Hero No.1 was said to have done average business. in the second week, it was supposed to be above-average. And then, suddenly, in the third week the tradewallahs had to admit that the film would do a business of Rs 3.5 crores."

"Yet one gentleman remarked that though the film had done well in all other regions, it hadn't done good business in the interiors of Bihar!"

Though he doesn't let such talk bother him, he obviously must get worked up when the trade compares the business of Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi with Saajan Chale Sasural. "I don't like getting involved in such cheap politics," the actor states. "The attitude here is that if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours. And even while doing so, they'll curse you. Such things don't bother me. I'm relieved that I'm not part of any camp."

It's also being whispered that while there's a hail-fellow-well-met banter when Govinda is around, he's made the butt of jokes and criticism as soon as his back turned. Chi Chi isn't ready to buy this. "I've heard Akshay Kumar saying that I can't fight like him and that I haven't done negative roles like Shah Rukh has. He even said that I wasn't a romantic hero like Rajesh Khanna. But he did admit that whatever I do, I do manage pretty well. So you see, my peers do acknowledge me as a good artiste," he states matter-of-factly.

On his own volition, Govinda says that he still has to attempt the kind of roles played by Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and even Shatrughan Sinha. Of late, Govinda has expressed his enthusiasm for working with Rajkumar Santoshi and Shekhar Kapur. So he's turning over a new leaf, right? "Nahin, yaar," he grins, "I haven't achieved anything so far. I've not impressed with myself at all. I feel, there's a lot inside me that still has to be tapped. I'm hoping these directors will help me achieve much more."

Obviously, he has understood that he can't restrict himself to the David Dhawan variety of comedies. Is that why he refused Judwaa? The general opinion is that the film was tailor-made for Govinda. "Salman is like a younger brother," replies Govinda, "I've seen the songs of the film and I think he's danced pretty well."

But he hasn't seen the entire film? Did he regret nixing it? Patiently Govinda explains: "The original rights of Banarasi Babu and Judwaa were with Nandu Tolani. When he asked me to act in the two films, I hesitated, because I've done so many double roles -- like the ones in Jaan Se Pyaara, Hathkadi and Aankhen. I felt there would be an overdose of Govinda. I didn't realise that the film would hit the theatres only after more than two years. So I refused Judwaa."

Govinda is often heard referring to himself as a "commodity" nowadays. How come? "Gold and diamonds don't have to advertise themselves. They just have to be fashioned and polished. The rest happens automatically," laughs the Hero No.1, pleased at his gift for coining metaphors. What about the competition? Doesn't he have to keep on constant alert? "Hey, that sounds as if we're all in a boxing ring, fighting away. Please, I'll call myself No.1 only when one of my films is sent for an Oscar nomination and I come back with an Oscar. I aim high," he beams.

But, so far, his deeds seem incompatible with his thoughts. He has acted mainly in mass entertainers. The reason, it seems, was the debacle of his home production Radha Ka Sangam. "That was a nightmare for me," he confides. "The failure of the film hit me so hard that I swore only to do out-and-out masala movies. Now, I've recovered. And my well-wishers have made sure that I go in for better films and yes, a more sober wardrobe." How does he react to "well-wishers" who waste no time in pulling him down? "Who cares!" he thunders. "I let barking dogs bark. If I bark back, I'll be paying them unnecessary bhaav. I'm like a river which changes its course when there's a mountain in its path. Basically I'm a cool guy. When I hear negative talk, I turn my ear the other way."

Yet at times, his cool demeanour seems like a facade. At a recent outdoor when the vibes between him and best friend Karisma Kapoor were Arctic cold, he did make an effort to break the ice with the Rani Hindustani. "Lolo and I often discuss our careers. She feels that too many films together might prove detrimental to our respective careers. She says we should do two films together a year -- a comedy with David Dhawan and a serious film with another director," Chi Chi clarifies. He continues: "Lolo has changed. From a fun-loving youngster, she has suddenly turned serious. I thought perhaps she'd been told to tone down her behaviour. I let it go at that. How much can you prod someone when he or she doesn't want to open up? "Believe me, I'm really happy for her. She has struggled a lot to achieve success. Lolo's back to her old self now. Both of us freaked out dancing at the Shweta Bachchan-Nikhil Nanda wedding. It was like the good old times again."

However, it would seem that Govinda's loyalties change rapidly when it comes to the choice of his heroine. Earlier he would recommend Karisma, then it was Manisha Koirala, and now it's Raveena Tandon with whom he has signed several films. In fact, he was instrumental in replacing Rambha with Raveena in Aunty No.1. Chi Chi responds: "Look, despite several messages and my personal intervention, Rambha's brother wasn't ready to give us dates. He would say he was coming to Bombay to settle things. But when he didn't show up, I thought it best to approach someone else. I thought of Raveena and luckily she said yes. She reminds me of Mumtaz. "As for Manisha, I have an ulterior motive in working with her," Govinda admits. "She appeals to an upper class audience, while I have mass appeal. Together we can reach each other's audience and appeal to everyone. And let me make one thing very clear -- I share a platonic relationship with all my heroines. No affairs please, I'm a happily married man. I want everyone to respect me. I'm not interested in the image of a flirt just to get talked about or wangle magazine covers."

If he's so determined to give a slick and savvy edge to his career, why has he signed Pardesi Babu with Manoj Agarwal, an unknown director. "Please don't underestimate him," requests Govinda. "I've seen the rushes and I can assure you that Manoj will soon be known as the best technician in the industry." He's obviously sensitive about the director he works with. Reportedly, Govinda gets visibly upset when David signs a film with another hero. Why? "Only because a lot of people would love to see us fall out," he answers. "Believe me, nowadays most of our time is spent in clearing the air. I have no problems about David working with other actors. After all, I'm making films with other directors, too. Right now, both of us are trying to score a hit -- without each other."

Speculation is rife in the industry about how he has upped the price of Aunty No.1 after the success of Hero No 1. "Kahan, yaar?" he groans. "Six months ago, I'd told my producers that since they are making so much money, I should also get to see some of it. But they ignored me. I didn't make a fuss because then they would have gone out of their way to malign me."

It is said that Govinda looks after the welfare of nearly 60-70 relatives and is now in the process of promoting the careers of his in nephews who intend to join films. Lighting up at that, he laughs: "Ha! I want to be known as everyone's `Papaji'." Or Godfather, Part IV!

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