Govinda’s much-talked-about claim that James Cameron once approached him for 'Avatar' has sparked curiosity for years. Now, his wife Sunita Ahuja has spoken on the subject. In a recent appearance on Uorfi Javed’s YouTube channel, Sunita addressed the buzz around the story with an honest and straightforward response.

Sunita Ahuja on Govinda doing a reality show

During their conversation, which began with a chat about recent episodes of 'The Traitors', Uorfi asked Sunita whether Govinda would ever consider joining a reality show like that. Sunita quipped, “It would be a big deal if Govinda even does a film first. We’re waiting for when he’ll do one. He’s not getting a good subject right now, so I don’t know what he’s thinking.”

Whether Govinda was offered Avatar? Sunita replies

The conversation soon turned to Govinda’s much-discussed 'Avatar' revelation. Uorfi directly asked Sunita whether the offer was real and why Govinda turned it down. Her response? 

"Arey yaar mujhe toh nahi pata yeh kab offer hui, 40 saal toh mujhe hogaye hain Govinda ke saath. Vo Avatar ka director-producer kab aaya mujhe nahi malum. Hui bhi hai ki nahi mujhe nahi malum. Main jhooth nahi bolti naa main kisi ka side lungi. Main jhooth ka saath nahi deti," she replied.

What Govinda had said about being offered Avatar

Govinda originally made this claim during a chat with Mukesh Khanna on his YouTube channel earlier this year. In the interview, the 'Coolie No. 1' star claimed not only that he turned down the lead role in 'Avatar' but also that he had suggested the film’s title.

"Picture ka title bhi maine hi diya tha. Maine Rajesh Khanna ji ko dekha tha left hand kata hua… maine kaha, ‘Yaar accha aadmi he pata nahi kyu ajeeb sa role kar liya!’ Toh maine kaha, ‘Second time banegi Avatar!’ Toh mujhe kehta hai, ‘The hero is lame!’ he said.

Govinda continued, “I said, ‘Lame? Govinda! Hello? I am not doing your picture!’ He said, ‘I am offering you 18 crores.’ I said, ‘I don’t want your 18 crores.' He said the shoot will be for 410 days. I said that is okay, but if I paint my body, I will be in the hospital!"

'Avatar', starring Sam Worthington and Zoey Saldana and became the highest-grossing film of all time with nearly $3 billion in global earnings, Govinda has stood by his story.

As for his film career, the actor was last seen in the 2019 release 'Rangeela Raja', a remake of 'Netrikan', which failed to impress both critics and the box office, earning just ₹18 lakh. Since then, Govinda has stayed off the big screen.