'Shivangi insisted on having a romantic...' OMG star Govind Namdev speaks about viral photo with 40-years-younger actress

Economic Times

15-06-2025

Veteran actor Govind Namdev has clarified rumours linking him romantically to actress Shivangi Verma, explaining that a viral photo of them was part of a planned publicity strategy for their upcoming film Gaurishankar Goharganj Wale. Namdev said Verma moved ahead with the campaign without informing him, leading to misunderstandings and public speculation. He distanced himself from her afterward and addressed the matter publicly to protect his personal and professional image.
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Clarification on the Viral Photograph
Fallout from the Public Speculation
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Reflecting on His Career Choices
Veteran actor Govind Namdev has broken his silence on the widespread speculation regarding his relationship with 30-year-old actress Shivangi Verma . The rumours took off after a photograph of the two together surfaced online, prompting gossip about a possible off-screen romance. Namdev, however, has now come forward to explain the context behind the viral image and to clear misconceptions surrounding the matter.As per ETimes, Namdev, who is 70 years old, stated that the photo was part of a planned publicity campaign for their upcoming film Gaurishankar Goharganj Wale. During a meeting with the film's director, producer, and Verma, they had discussed strategies to generate buzz. According to him, it was Verma who pushed for presenting their on-screen pairing as a romantic one, believing it would help draw attention to the project. Namdev agreed in principle and approved the idea on the basis that it was purely for promotional purposes.However, he revealed that things took a turn when Verma proceeded with the campaign independently, tagging the film in a particular way without informing him. This, he explained, led to misunderstandings and unwanted speculation. As the rumours began to intensify, Namdev expressed his displeasure and distanced himself from further interaction with her.The actor also addressed the personal toll the rumours took, including false claims about trouble in his marriage. He acknowledged that people around him — including friends and family — started expressing concern, assuming there was some truth to the gossip. Feeling responsible as a public figure, Namdev decided to clarify the matter by posting statements online.Namdev emphasized the significance of an actor's responsibility toward the audience. He said actors are admired and followed, and their actions — on or off-screen — influence how people think. This, he noted, makes it critical to maintain integrity and transparency in public interactions.When asked about his openness to portraying romantic roles, Namdev said he has no issue taking on such parts if they align with the script and carry moral or narrative value. He drew a clear line between genuine storytelling and sensationalism, stating that he is only interested in roles that contribute meaningfully to the film.Having built a career around powerful portrayals, especially in negative roles, Namdev reiterated his belief that characters should elicit the intended emotional responses. He said his aim is not to glorify wrongdoing but to ensure that audiences feel the impact of immoral actions.The actor also shared a personal regret from earlier in his career — endorsing a paan masala advertisement. At the time, he said, the campaign received praise, but in hindsight, he now sees the harmful message it conveyed. He stated firmly that he would not support such products today and has also spoken out against advertisements promoting tobacco and gaming, citing the need for ethical boundaries in professional decisions.Gaurishankar Goharganj Wale, the film at the centre of this controversy, is expected to depict a nuanced relationship between an older man and a young woman. Namdev, an alumnus of the National School of Drama, remains committed to selecting roles that reflect social realities.