India, Aug. 26 -- Veteran producer and former CBFC chief Pahlaj Nihalani recently reflected on Madhuri Dixit's early career and revealed that she once turned down a film opposite Govinda because he was a newcomer. In an interview with Pinkvilla, Nihalani claimed the decision was influenced by Madhuri's then manager, Rikku Rakesh Nath, and recalled how a series of refusals eventually led him to cast Neelam Kothari in multiple projects instead.

Pahlaj said that he first met Govinda through Rikku and later even recommended him as Madhuri's manager. He recalled, "I had signed Govinda opposite Madhuri, and I had appointed Rikku as a secretary. Later, Rikku and 8-10 producers made a group against Govinda. They added pages to the screenplay, bu...