Govinda rules out his daughter acting with Salman

In one swift and slicing stroke, Govinda cuts down all talk of his daughter Narmada making her debut with his friend Salman Khan.

Speaking after a longish gap (after the release of Raavan which left everyone involved unhappy) Govinda reasons, "How can my daughter be paired with Salman? She calls him Chacha. Both Salman and Narmada would feel very awkward acting together. Touchwood, my friendship with Salman goes far beyond professional. It doesn't matter whether we work together or not. In Salmanbhai, I've made a friend for life."

Sounding genuinely impassioned, Govinda says he harbours absolutely no ill-will or grievance towards Salman or Shatrughan Sinha about Sonakshi being launched so spectacularly. Says Govinda, "Sonakshi bhi apni bachchi hai. As for Shatrubhai, I started my career with .He has always been very encouraging. We've been close friends for ages. Shatrubhai and Punam bhabhi are people I can count on. As for my daughter Narmada, uski apni kismet hai (she has her own destiny). Everything happens in good time. I'm sure her career will start on an auspicious note."

The concerned father reveals two projects are being fashioned for Narmada. "I've to make sure she makes her debut in a film worthy of her and me. Two projects are being designed. In a few weeks I'll be in a position to announce my daughter's debut." And yes, Salman will be there to bless Govinda's daughter when she begins her maiden journey into acting.

So why was Govinda not part of his buddy's celebration for the success of Dabangg? "Oh, that was only for the people involved with Dabangg. I'd have been out of place there."

Remind him that Aamir Khan also attended and Govinda responds, "He lives close by and must have dropped in. I don't have to prove my friendship with Salman by being where he is, or by attending his parties. And if we measure friendship by how much work we do together then yes, David Dhawan is currently working on a sequel to Partner. We'll start that soon."

Govinda reveals that Salman had come to him with an offer very recently. "He wanted me to be part of a remake of a Marathi film (probably Mahesh Manjrekar's film). But I wasn't excited by the idea. Doesn't mean we are not friends any more."

Says Govinda, "I've almost completed shooting Jagmohan Mundra's Naughty At 40. Comedies are the flavour of the season. And my comic efforts are always appreciated."