Grief striken Govinda

Actor reveals he tried to end his life after his mother died

Actor Govinda has opened up about the intense grief he experienced following the death of his mother, Nirmala Devi, revealing that he once entered the Narmada River believing he would “meet” her again.

In a conversation with ANI, Govinda recalled being in “tremendous pain” after his mother’s demise in 1996 and said the loss left him feeling that everything was over.

“I was in a lot of pain. I was in tremendous pain. At that point, I felt that everything was over; that was it,” Govinda said.

Nirmala Devi, a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist and actress, died on June 15, 1996, at the age of 69. Govinda was extremely close to his mother and has often credited her spiritual influence with playing an important role in both his personal and professional life.

Recalling the incident at the Narmada River, the actor said, “So, I was at the Narmada River, I thought I would go a little farther into the river and that I would meet my mother again. So, I went into the river.”

When asked whether he was trying to commit suicide, Govinda replied, “Kind of. I was deeply attached to my mother. I was too much in love with her.”

Govinda recalled that a sadhu, whom he now reminisces as Ram Kundal, approached him and helped him come out of the river.

The actor said the experience eventually led him to reassess his life. “I realised, actually someone said to me this at that time that I was doing something wrong... And I learned a lesson, I realised that I have to live for my children,” he added.