‘I’m not a saint’

Govinda’s daughter Tina Ahuja opens up about her show, rumours surrounding her parents, and more

Murtuza Iqbal

Govinda’s wife, Sunita Ahuja, and daughter, Tina Ahuja, have participated in the show 

Maa Hai Na, which started streaming on ZEE5 on Friday. The Free Press Journal interacted with Tina about the show, rumours about her parents, and more...Excerpts:

How excited are you for Maa Hai Na?

More than excited, I can say I’m looking forward to it. It’s my first-ever project with my mom, and my first-ever project as a celebrity guest for this kind of show.

Maa Hai Na is being compared to Laughter Chefs. So, what do you have to say about this comparison?

I have to say nothing about it (laughs). Maybe, as the theme is the same for both of them, that’s why it might seem like that. But here, it’s about a mother and a child.

You look gorgeous, and you have a great screen presence. But, why have we not seen you on the big screen more?

I will tell you why. Casting directors and filmmakers need to understand this that I am open to look tests, and I’m open to giving auditions. I think a lot of people had stories in their head that she is a star kid, so she will never give a look test.

They pre-assumed things. I was always open to giving look tests and auditions. If I get something good, then why won’t I do it? I would love to be a part of a nice OTT fiction show. A nice movie. They had so many pre-assumptions. People think that she’s the daughter of such a big star; why would she come and do an audition? Why would she come and do a look test? But why wouldn’t I do it? Even in Hollywood, superstars are going and doing look tests.

There are so many rumours that come out about the family. Whenever you open social media, maybe you read something about Sunita ma’am and Govinda sir. Does that affect you?

I’ve been seeing this since my childhood. There were stories. Every decade, they have a new story. Earlier, it used to be magazines. Then it came to the internet, and now it’s come to Instagram and the YouTube world. See, I’m human. Obviously, you get kind of troubled when there’s no truth to it, and when it just feels very exaggerated and dragged.

Clickbait is taken from somewhere, and another story is created. I’m not some saint who will never get affected. It is disturbing, yes. But then you have to learn to have a thicker skin in this industry or any industry in life. When you know the truth and when you know the foundation, then it’s better not to react or let it affect you or your health.