In a narrative enriched with nostalgia and evolution, Bollywood actor Chunky Panday recounts a turning point in his illustrious career, facilitated by acting stalwart Anupam Kher. Their forthcoming collaboration, Vijay 69, marks a significant watershed in Panday’s acting philosophy, inviting him to explore a previously untapped dimension of his craft. This is vividly juxtaposed against their initial encounter on the sets of the 1988 classic, Tezaab, a film wherein Panday first shared screen space with Kher, only to watch him walk away with an award for his role in Vijay. Decades later, the veteran actor Kher has assured Panday that this time, it will be his turn to bask in the awards glory, a notion that leaves Panday both hopeful and introspective.
“I remember when Kher saab won the award back in 1988, it inspired me a lot. Fast forward to today, he believes it’s my turn for Vijay 69,” Panday reveals with a reflective grin. His portrayal of a Parsi character in this Netflix dramedy is marked by a restraint that was largely unfamiliar to his signature style until now. Known for his flamboyant, often over-the-top performances, Panday speaks of how Kher advised a more subdued approach, emphasizing that the narrative demanded honest authenticity over caricature.
Panday’s recent foray into the world of digital entertainment has been pivotal in shaping this new acting avatar. The versatility and depth that the Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms have afforded him have been transformative, inspiring a re-evaluation of his goals as a performer. “When I first entered the industry, my only dream was to be a star. Acting was almost a secondary consideration,” he admits candidly. Reflecting on bygone days, he recalls, “The heroes of my era were always the paragons of virtue. Yet, Kher saab and a select few others were the ones experimenting with varied roles—good, bad, soulful, and sinister.
. Now, I relish inhabiting these diverse characters.”
As Panday redefines his own acting sensibilities, he draws parallels with his daughter, rising Bollywood star Ananya Panday. The narrative of his daughter’s burgeoning career is interspersed with lessons that challenge the conventions he once held dear. Her choice of projects, from the engaging CTRL to the intriguing Call Me Bae, reflect a maturation in her acting prowess that seems to have validated her retorts during the many debates they shared early in her career.
“Yes, it’s true. I’ve had my share of heated discussions with her over what I believed was the right trajectory—conventional, mainstream success,” Panday owns up with a bemused tone. His earlier stance of urging Ananya to shun the path of artful sophistry in favor of mass appeal now finds him humbled. “Back then, I’d argue, ‘Ananya, secure your stardom; let acting come later.’ But the tables seem to have turned, and I couldn’t be prouder to admit perhaps she had the right instinct all along.”
Thus, as Panday continues to break new ground in contemporary cinema, he seems to find guidance not only in his enduring partnership with Anupam Kher but also through his observations of Ananya’s progressive career. Embracing the complexity of the varied characters he often portrays, along with celebrating his daughter’s successful navigation through a dynamic industry, Panday acknowledges, “The very experiences that once appeared daunting are now enriching my journey both as an actor and as a father.”
In essence, today’s Chunky Panday is a testament to the power of shared wisdom and evolving perspectives. Whether under the mentorship of an industry titan like Kher or through the journey of his own progeny, he embodies the spirit of adaptation and discovery in an ever-transforming cinematic landscape. As audiences eagerly await Vijay 69, it is not just the promise of another entertaining tale, but also the reenvisioned performances that hold the promise of resonating through cinema halls anew, echoing with the subtlety and depth that characterize Panday’s latest chapter.
