Politics was a learning experience, says Govinda

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Govinda, who is also a former Member of Parliament, says his brief political stint, though bitter, was a learning experience.

"I don`t have any regrets having joined politics. Although the experience was bitter but I learnt lessons. Being a politician is a more difficult task," Govinda told PTI in an interview. "Nothing is easy but politics is too difficult. Since I had come from the world of cinema and not politics I did not know much about it (politics) and by the time I learnt it I felt I didn`t belong to that world. So I decided not to remain there," Govinda said. The actor had represented Congress from the Mumbai North constituency from 2004-2009. He had defeated senior BJP leader and former Petroleum Minister Ram Naik to win the seat. However, he opted out of the 2009 General Elections to revive his sagging acting career. As an MP, Govinda has been criticised for being inaccessible to the people of his constituency, especially during the terrible deluge of 26 July, 2005. "The world of politics is vast and there is a lot that one can learn. It is a difficult task. Only after I entered it, I was able to understand what politics was all about but I did not play politics. Politics is meant for those have spent quite a long time in this field, it is meant for experienced people," the 48-year-old-actor said. Govinda, fondly called as Chi Chi said, said he missed his mother late Nirmala Ahuja a lot during his stint in politics and added that her presence would have helped him cope up with the challenges better. "It`s been 17 years that she is not with me but there has not been a single day when I did not think, discussed or talked about her. Her absence disturbs me. I missed her too much while I was in politics. I felt had she would have been there to help me I could have easily got my answers and solutions from her," he added. "I entered politics on the advice of my seniors and they did take care of me. Everyone took care of me," he said. Govinda will soon be seen in `Naughty @ 40` that releases on April 29. Directed by Jagmohan Mundhra, the film also has actresses Yuvika Chaudhary, Sayali Bhagat and English girl Lucia Gilbert in pivotal roles. PTI