Govinda was to do a guest appearance in Life Partner

In his latest release Life Partner, Govinda's role started as a guest appearance and was later extended into a full-fledged part. Says Govinda happily, "What you've heard is true. The producers Abbas-Mustan liked my work and kept extending the role until it became a full-length role. Director Rumi Jaffrey eventually managed to gather his act together and we've put together a fun film that I hope will encourage women to look at their husbands and marriages in a different light."

Quiz him about big leading ladies like Katrina Kaif refusing to co-star with him and Govinda laughs, "I don't concern myself with these things. All I know is, finally Amrita Rao did the part and she's a very sweet girl. We just have two scenes together." He has already lost oodles of weight and is looking younger. Govinda is about to switch lanes, drastically. Having made a career out of comic roles, he's for the moment bidding adieu to laughter to embrace action.

The preparation has started in all seriousness. Govinda has got himself a martial arts and physical trainer and is working on his physique and agility. Says the comic virtuoso, "I've done action films in the past like Hatya and Shola Aur Shabnam. But they weren't full-on actioners. I now want to do an action film with stunts of an international caliber. I don't want to just plunge into it without being fully prepared. I've already lost a lot of weight. But it isn't enough. I want to lose some more."

On a recent trip to London, Govinda discovered yoga. Govinda's life -style has changed completely. Thanks to yoga. And though he doesn't admit it, it was Celina Jaitley who introduced him to a new lifestyle.

Says Govinda, "Yoga has changed my life. No matter what my schedule, I've to do yoga every morning. I feel the difference within me. It's not about just losing weight. I lost a lot of weight earlier this year when I was shooting in Bangkok with Suniel Shetty for Loot. No, yoga is about self-discipline, about toning the body. I feel myself losing inches around my waist. I feel fitter. I can get into tight clothes without cringing."

Govinda's target? "To look as healthy handsome and fit as Dharamji did in his heydays. He has always been my role model. And now when I look at myself in the mirror I see glimpses of him in myself. That makes me feel really good." Pausing to laugh Govinda says, "I might soon get together with David Dhawan to make Handsome No.1"