Hours after he landed in a Mumbai hospital due to a bullet injury on his leg, renowned actor Govinda released an audio clip in which he thanked his fans for their blessings. The actor suffered the injury below his knee when his licensed gun misfired.
In a raspy voice, the 60-year-old actor is heard saying that the blessings of his fans, parents and his guru saved him. "I was hit by a bullet, but it has been extracted. I thank the doctors here and your prayers," he said in the audio clip.
The actor suffered the injury around 4.45 am today when he was getting ready to leave for the airport to board a flight to Kolkata. The actor, also a Shiv Sena leader, was alone at the time of the incident.
His manager Shashi Sinha said Govinda was keeping his licensed revolver in a cupboard when it fell to the floor and went off. The bullet hit him below his knee. The actor called up his wife Sunita Ahuja, who was in Kolkata, and his manager. Soon after, police reached his Juhu home and rushed him to the nearby Criticare Hospital. He was operated upon and the bullet extracted. The actor's manager said his condition is stable. He is still at the hospital and his daughter Tina is with him. Doctors have said the actor would have to stay in the hospital for at least two days.
Police have said the actor has not registered any complaint.
"We had a 6 am flight to catch for a show in Kolkata and I had reached the airport. Govinda ji was about to leave his residence for the airport when this accident happened," the actor's manager said. It is due to God's grace that Govinda ji sustained only a leg injury and it was nothing serious," he added. Govinda's wife Sunita Ahuja left for Mumbai after she heard of the incident.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde spoke to the actor and asked him how he was doing. "I have personally reached out to Govinda to convey my deep concern about his health condition. On behalf of the government and people of our state, I wish him a swift and complete recovery," Mr Shinde said in a statement. "I have assured Govinda that he and his family will receive all necessary support during this challenging time. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his loved ones."
Several family members and well-wishers of the actor rushed to the hospital after getting news about the shocking incident.