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Govinda, 'The Hero No. 1', the tag line appeared to be there with the name that made millions laugh and cry with him in the dark hours of cinema halls, decided to turn politician No.1 last year. He defeated BJP veteran Ram Naik and made an impressive entry into the lower house of Indian Parliament. Being the member of the ruling Congress party, Govinda has been the focus of attention in the last session. But, back at box office it is not all the same again. Govinda has seen just one release after he turned politician. It was 'Khullam Khulla Pyar Karen' two months back and this film had been in waiting for years to see the light of the day. Now, this Friday sees yet another film of Govinda releasing titled 'Ssukh'.

The film shows that Govinda has lost his battleground in Bollywood. It is brother Kirti Ahuja who is calling the shots as director while his sister Kamini Khanna's name appears as music director along with some Nirmal Pawar in the credits. This family affair also sees Govinda himself turning a distributor once again to release his own film that has been lying unsold for months. A very badly planned marketing strategy coupled with worse communication from the star of the film has deprived the film of a good start. The over-confidence of Govinda in casting his near and dear ones sees losing his devoted fans. This boy of small town Virar near Mumbai has traveled from rags to riches but somewhere down the line, he has lost his charisma as a boy next door. Aging is showing its impact on his personality and while he dances with heroines like Preeti Jhangiani (remember there was a time when likes of Raveena, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukherjee, would fight for a role against him), it is yet to be seen if this film calls the end of an era that started with films like 'Ilzam' and 'Love 86' in late eighties.

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'Ssukh' is a preaching in disguise for ruptured Indian families. Govind tries to teach and preach his fans but they never loved him for this. Govinda was synonym for mindless comedies. People like him for making a fool of himself in films like 'Raja Babu', 'Coolie No.1', 'Hero No. 1' and 'Bade Miyan and Chhote Miyan'. Then, Govinda thought it is not the team that is making these films succeed, but only he. So, he teamed up with directors like Nabh Kumar Raju and Naresh Agarwal, but none could work for him. Now, in 'Ssukh' he writes his own tribute. 'Ssukh' is the story of a couple -- Rakesh and Bhavna (Govinda and Preeti Jhangiani). They develop a misunderstanding between them and find that the divorce is the only option for this estranged relationship. The mistrust has taken over the love that once used to bloom between the two. Seeing the couple on the verge of the divorce, their friends, another couple comprising Sushila and Chandra Prakash (Aarti Chabaria and Chunky Pandey), tries to intervene and resolve the situation. When the rift between Bhavna and Rakesh takes an ugly turn, Bhavna leaves her home and shifts to Sushil's home. It is here that Bhavna comes to know about the values of a married life. She observes that this couple has managed to stick to their marriage despite all ups and downs in their lives. Sushila and Chandra Prakash try to bridge the gap between the quarreling couple but there are many scheming and ill wishing relatives around who will not like to have sukh (comfort) in the lives of Bhavna and Rakesh. How does the trauma of life turns into tickling of love? And, how the real friends in life work very hard to keep their friends happy? Watch out for the return of family drama of 70's taking on to you in 21st century.

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'Ssukh' is the story of shattered dreams of day-to-day life. It tells that if we have conviction to make the things right, some day or the other life comes back on the normal route. Director Kirti Kumar makes a comeback after three years with 'Ssukh'. He started in the shadow of his brother as a director with difference way back in 1988 with a hard-hitting film 'Hatya'. Kirti Kumar went on to direct films like 'Radha Ka Sangam', 'Naseeb', 'Do Aankhe Barah Haath', 'Aunty No. 1' and 'Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai' being the last one in his list. Kirti has never worked with any other actor except his own brother Govinda. When the latter was reigning at the box office, the distributors accepted his films money in his project; they would earn millions with other Govinda movies. But, the present situation is quite different. Govinda has grown up larger that his image. His own feet are finding it hard to fit in his own shoes.

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'Ssukh' has no sukh for viewers. Govind, the lead actor, looks pale and balding. He has lost his charm as an entertainer. His personality doesn't fit for the role of the lead hero in a film; his contemporaries have shifted for more matured and natural roles. But progression for Govinda has just stopped over the years. He is living in his own world where suggestions only come from those who are making their living on Govinda's account. It was Chunky Pandey with whom Govinda wrote a new box office history in 'Aankhen', but the pair has lost the same guts. Aarti Chabaria and Preeti Jhangiani look like weak dolls, having not much of a caliber. Many of Govinda's die-hard fans will feel sad for their idol. But the question is if Govinda is worried about his fans. They need a bindaas comedy from him; will the real Govinda stand up again? Everyone is waiting though.