Court's decision is paramount, but who is funding the fan, asks Govinda

Mumbai: Bollywood actor Govinda says, the decision of the court is paramount for him and that he will respect it, after he was advised by the apex court on Monday to end the dispute and apologize to a fan he slapped in 2008. [caption id=“attachment_2529778” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Bollywood actor Govinda, Reuters.[/caption] “Till the time I receive a letter from the court, I cannot make any comment on this…The decision of the court is paramount for me and I will respect its decision,” Govinda said at a press conference on Tuesday, while declining to give direct answers to various questions posed towards him. When asked if there was any funding behind the fan in question regarding the case, he replied: “It’s a matter worth thinking about, this person lands up illegally at a place out of love or out of emotion or on the instruction of someone or something similar”. He further questioned that why would a person stretch such a case for so many years especially since he is not even a resident of Mumbai. “A person who indulges in illegal activities, how can he be helped in such a big way? This is surprising. Tell me how can it happen without it (funding)?” he asked. Govinda was caught on camera slapping Santosh Bateshwar Rai on the sets of his film “Money Hai Toh Honey Hai” in 2008. “It doesn’t look normal for it to go on for so many years. No fan could ever have a behaviour like this and that’s definite. Fans tremendously love artistes… they go out of their way and take police beating to protect artistes from problems, and not come in front of artistes,” said Govinda. On Monday, the apex court, reminded Govinda that he was a big Bollywood star of yesteryears, and asked him to settle the dispute by apologising to the fan. Pointing out that what may hold good in “reel life” may not hold good in the “real life”, a bench of Chief Justice’s comprising Justice T.S.Thakur and Justice V. Gopala Gowda counselled Govinda that, as he was "a big hero, show your big heart" and apologise and settle the matter. IANS