Why Govinda Said He Felt ‘Lucky’ For Slapping A Fan, After A 9-Year Legal Battle And Sting Operation

Veteran actor Govinda once again found himself in the headlines for being hospitalised after losing consciousness at home. The 61-year-old actor has faced many highs and lows in his decades-long career, from ruling the box office to being embroiled in personal and legal controversies. Among the numerous cases that have pursued the actor for years, one in particular has haunted him for nearly a decade: his infamous slapping incident.

The slapping incident, which began in 2008 and concluded only in 2017, was a saga that long tested the Hero No. 1 star’s patience, public image, and sense of justice. That one misstep had landed Govinda in terrible legal trouble, and what started as an unfortunate altercation turned into a years-long legal drama, with the Supreme Court eventually stepping in to demand justice for the fan.

The infamous slap incident that landed Govinda in nearly a decade of controversy

Govinda was the biggest star in Bollywood during the 1990s and 2000s, his unparalleled fame outshining the industry’s biggest names, even including the ‘Shehenshah’, Amitabh Bachchan! Younger fans would go to great lengths just to see him in person or get his autograph, flocking to film sets and events where Govinda would visit. 

One such fan was Santosh Rai, a devoted admirer who, in 2008, visited the Mumbai set of Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, hoping to catch a glimpse of his favourite star. Throughout the shoot, he was seated quietly behind the cast and crew, eagerly watching things unfold, unaware that what began as a dream moment would soon take an unexpected and shocking turn.

What started as a harmless visit between a fan and his idol soon spiralled into a shocking moment when Govinda lost his temper and slapped Santosh in front of the entire crew. The slap was a grave insult to Santosh, who idolised the Dostana actor. Well, while Govinda said the fan had allegedly “misbehaved with female dancers” during the shoot, Santosh had a very different version of the story. Speaking to Rediff, he said:

“Imagine being hit by someone you considered god.”

Govinda’s defence: ‘I had to take a stand’

After the controversial slap incident, rumours began swirling that Govinda had slapped Santosh for his alleged misconduct on the set. In an interview with The Times of India, Govinda revealed that he slapped Santosh after he misbehaved with some female dancers on the set. Years later, he detailed the incident in a conversation with Mukesh Khanna:

“His name was Santosh. A lot of women told me not to do anything wrong with him further. They asked me to be respectful. I saw that nobody supported me; those who have been standing because of me were after me, trying to pull me down.”

The slap sent Govinda to the Supreme Court – he could face up to two years in prison

What followed was a legal battle that would stretch over nine long years and dominate headlines each time the case resurfaced. Santosh Rai filed an assault case against the superstar, demanding justice and compensation for the humiliation. Eventually, the case reached the Supreme Court, where the judges were unflinching in their remarks. According to Rediff, the court reportedly told Govinda, “We enjoy your films, but we cannot tolerate you slapping somebody.”

As the case dragged on, the actor’s legal team attempted to settle the matter in private, even offering Santosh an apology and Rs. 5 lakh in monetary compensation. However, the court clarified that Govinda could face prosecution if the plaintiff rejected the apology, adding that the actor could even face up to two years in jail under charges of criminal intimidation and assault. 

The case dragged on for nearly nine years, until 2017, when Govinda issued a public apology to Santosh Rai, with an unconditional statement and financial compensation. However, the latter declined the money, telling Hindustan Times, “I only wanted justice, not the money.” 

Why Govinda said the slapping case was ‘lucky’ for him

With that public apology, the case was finally closed, but it wasn’t until years later that Govinda would open up about what really went down behind the scenes. Years later, the Hum star opened up about the infamous altercation, claiming the incident proved ‘lucky’ for him.

When the infamous slap incident came up in a conversation on actor Mukesh Khanna’s YouTube channel, Govinda reflected that it proved to be a lucky encounter, revealing that a sting operation turned the case in his favour. The actor shared that Santosh had demanded Rs. 3 to 4 crore to take back the case, and this ultimately brought the long-running dispute to an end. In his words:

“The slapping case was so lucky for me. Somebody was misbehaving, and I slapped the person. The case went on for 9 years, and in the end, a friend of mine told me to do a sting operation on him and record whatever he was saying. The guy asked me for Rs. 3-4 crores to take back the case. I recorded that conversation and sent it to court.”

Govinda’s recent health scare and how he’s doing now

Govinda was rushed to Mumbai’s Juhu CritiCare Hospital late Tuesday night (November 11–12, 2025) after briefly losing consciousness at home, just hours after he visited Dharmendra in the Breach Candy Hospital. According to PTI, the actor lost consciousness and complained of experiencing disorientation at his home the night before. His friend and legal advisor, Lalit Bindal, gave an update on the 61-year-old’s health to IANS and shared the doctor’s advice:

“He had a severe headache and felt heaviness in his head. He also felt dizzy, and because of that, he has been advised to see a neurologist. Doctors are conducting a check-up. He was admitted last night, and the doctor will examine him soon.”

From courtroom battles and box-office setbacks to a near-fatal gun accident in 2024 and his recent hospitalisation earlier this year, Govinda’s life continues to mirror the unpredictability of a Bollywood script. Yet, he remains one of India’s most beloved stars who always finds a way to dance back with a smile.

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