Bollywood actor Govinda has opened up about the darkest phase of his life following the death of his mother, Nirmala Devi, in 1996. The veteran actor revealed that the devastating loss left him in immense grief, admitting that he was "kind of" suicidal and once walked into the Narmada River believing he would reunite with her.

Govinda Opens Up About Being 'Kind Of' Suicidal After His Mother’s Death

Nirmala Devi, a renowned Hindustani classical vocalist and actress, passed away on June 15, 1996, at the age of 69. Speaking in an interview with ANI, Govinda shared how deeply attached he was to his mother and how her passing shattered him completely.

"I was in a lot of pain. I was in tremendous pain. At that point, I felt that everything was over; that was it," the actor recalled.

Overwhelmed by heartbreak, Govinda visited the Narmada River and began walking deeper into the water. "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," he said.

When asked if he felt suicidal during that terrifying moment, he answered, "Kind of. I was deeply attached to my mother. I was too much in love with her." However, he added that he preferred not to label the incident as a suicide attempt, noting that life transforms rather than ends.

How A Priest Saved Govinda's Life?

During this vulnerable moment, a priest named Ram Kundal intervened and walked toward him, pulling him out of his despair.

"He called out to me and came towards me. I came out of the river and he asked, 'What happened, Govinda?' I realised someone said to me at that time that I was doing something wrong," Govinda shared.

The encounter made him rethink his actions, leading to a crucial epiphany: "I realised that I have to live for my children." It took the actor more than fifteen days to recover from that heavy mental state and find a new purpose in life.

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The painful experience completely shifted Govinda's perspective on fame, stardom, and his acting career. He now views professional success as secondary to personal responsibilities.

"Films are just like toys for me. I shouldn’t say this. I am saying it out of fear of God," he remarked, adding that all stardom is merely a manifestation of God.

Ultimately, Govinda considers serving his mother and family his greatest triumph. "The real achievement for me was that I could serve my family and my mother. I could fulfil all the wishes she had imagined for me," he concluded.

Govinda is currently busy promoting his upcoming film, Roopa, co-starring newcomer Komal Rani Swarnkar.