Veteran actor Chunky Panday went down memory lane on his initial years in the 1980s and 90s and also spoke highly about the stardom his daughter Ananya Panday and nephew Ahaan Panday have achieved in an interview with us.
Chunky Panday on the success of daughter Ananya and nephew Ahaan, “I want them to achieve 100 times more than I did”
What is it like Chunky Panday, the eternal quipster always expected to be funny and entertaining at social gatherings?
Well, I was known for having these crazy parties, lavish sponsored parties in the 1980s and 90s. So, it’s a very natural instinct when I show up at a party, I tend to take over from the host and make it into my own party. I guess that way it’s less pressure on the host and sometimes also threatening to him too. But I land up having a great time and make sure other people have a great time. So yeah, that’s me and parties, taking over hijacking parties.
You were quite the star for some time during the 1990s. Did you aspire to be more, or were you happy with the success you got?
Yes, I mean 1987-88 was a great, great golden period for me. I think in those 18 months, I had these 5-6 blockbusters like Aag Hi Aag, Paap Ki Duniya, Tezaab and stuff. But it was a very short-lived honeymoon because a galaxy of stars arrived at the same time on the Bollywood stage. Then the 1990s had Vishwatma, and a couple of other films. Could have I done more? Yes, lots more but would I want my journey to be different? Never because if anything would have changed, I wouldn’t have met my wife Bhavna and I wouldn’t have had my children Ananya and Raisa. So yeah, I really enjoyed my journey.
Is there anything more you would have wanted?
What more could have I got? I think the bucks have become so much bigger now. The boys are making such big money and I miss that. So, what I do is I keep buying a lottery ticket every week hoping to win one day but I guess whatever I couldn’t achieve, I think my children will achieve it with no pressure on them but I hope they do. I mean the things I couldn’t do, I want the younger ones to, you know, achieve and maybe go even beyond that. So yeah but I really really enjoyed my journey and I really wouldn’t want it to, if I had to relive my life, I’d want it the same way. It’s been fun and lots more to come.
Although you have done serious parts, you are mostly appreciated for your comic turns. Does that get to be a burden beyond a point?
Well the only burden of doing comic roles is that you don’t win any major awards. I’ve been nominated for a few but never really won any major award yet. But no, I think comedy is a blessing to have because you know you actually kind of land up doing a lot of other roles also with it. I mean I’ve always been inspired by Anupam Kher, Kader Khan, Shakti Kapoor. These have been the greats who’ve managed to do such comic roles and then such negative roles like even Paresh Rawal. So yeah these are people I’ve really aspired to be actors. Even if I can just achieve 10% of what these guys have done. So, yeah but so besides winning the major awards, I think it’s a great blessing and a boon to be known as a comic actor because sometimes when someone wants to cast the unexpected, then you know you’re the one who’s chosen to play that role. So. yeah it’s been beautiful, fun.
Aankhen was your biggest hit as a leading man. What was it like working with Govinda?
Yes yes yes, Aankhen was my biggest hit and my all-time favourite film. Govinda is the person I owe my career to. I mean he arrived on the scene in 1986, became a superstar overnight and got so busy that there was a lot of work he couldn’t do, couldn’t take on because he was he had a very very busy calendar and that was the time I met Pahlaj Nihalani, who had launched him in Ilzaam and since Govinda had no dates for him, I got that film Aag Hi Aag. And then just a few months later Govinda couldn’t do Tezaab because again his calendar was too full and I managed to get that role of Babban.
Tezaab was first offered to Govinda?
Yeah, I think the two major breaks I got in the 80s were because of Govinda. We’ve always been great friends and I think just being compared to him has helped me a lot because you know the press had this perception that we were rivals and competing with each other all the time and that guy was an absolute volcano of talent, so just being compared to him made me look talented. I guess I’m that little sparrow that flew on the wings of the eagle and so to great heights. Yeah, so I think I must have piggybacked on Govinda and got there. Of course, I did a lot of multi-hero films. My second film Paap Ki Duniya was with Sunny Deol which again was a huge. My third film with Anil Kapoor Tezaab again which was a huge hit. So, I’ve had a lot of co-stars but Govinda has been someone closer to my age and yeah, so there was always that comparison but we still very good friends.
You and Govinda remain friends?
When we are together, we always make fun of each other and I guess that’s when friendships last when you can you know make jokes on each other and I love that guy like hell. I’m actually a fan of his. I’m a Govinda fan. You can’t take your eyes off him once he’s on screen. He’s the most talented I actor after Kishore Kumar. I love him.
You worked with several top-notch leading ladies. Who was your favourite?
Yes, I did work with all the best girls in those days. Well there was Madhuri Dixit, there was Kimi Katkar, there was Sonam, then there was my favorite Neelam, there was Shilpa Shrodkar. But I think my all-time favourite has been Neelam. My first film was with her and she’s still a very very dear friend of ours, my wife and I, and of course she’s a part of Bollywood Wives now, so the friendship has been the same and seeing her takes me back to my old days. I’m very very fond of her and then, of course, I was very fond of Sonam because she was so young when she came on the scene. She was just about 15-16 when I worked with her and did a lot of movies with Sonam and Neelam. But as I said Neelam is very much still a part of our lives and she’s a great friend, she’s one of Bhavna’s best friends and a beautiful person.
Now your daughter Ananya and nephew Ahaan are stars. Do you guide them?
I should be taking advice from Ananya and Ahaan. I think the basic things which I’ve only taught the kids is good manners. I’ve always told my daughter whenever you go out make sure you’re in a good mood because if you’re in a bad mood just stay at home. When you’re out, give your best to people, give your best to work. I’ve had a lot of conflicts with Ananya on the kind of roles she took up because, you know, I guess I’m from a different school and she’s from a different school of cinema. I guess there’s a lot of generation gap so we used to have a lot of conflicts but now after seeing Kesari (Chapter 2) and what she did with it and I mean what the performance came out and the film came out … I was so proud of her. So I think I’ve stopped arguing with my daughter about her career choices. She’s always wanted to be a performer. She always says, “Dad, stardom will follow but let me just become the best performer ever.” And yeah, I guess she’s on that path, so I’m proud of her.
And your nephew Ahaan?
Ahaan, of course, he’s hit the ball out of the park with Saiyaara. I’m so happy, so proud. I mean, he waited a long time. It took him eight years to get where he is. Seeing him reminds me of my young days. I wish both the kids a lot of success and I hope the trajectory goes north higher. It’s a beautiful feeling just to see the younger ones make a path and I think all I prayed for the kids was that they get accepted because I think in Bollywood the most important thing is being accepted by the audience, the viewers, the people and getting that love. And I keep hoping and praying that they are always accepted and loved. Yeah, so that’s the kids and, of course, no pressure but I want them to achieve 100 times more than I did.
You and your wife have been married for 27 years. What is the secret recipe of a long lasting marriage in Bollywood?
I think whatever you earn, put it on your wife’s name. All your properties everything put on your wife’s name. So then, before you get tempted and do anything stupid, you always think twice. I think that’s the only way to keep it successful and on track.
Also Read: Two Much With Kajol And Twinkle: Govinda, Chunky Panday reveal that monkey in Aankhen was a DRUNKARD: “Bewda bandar had six bouncers; was paid double the fees given to us”
More Pages: Saiyaara Box Office Collection , Saiyaara Movie Review
BOLLYWOOD NEWS – LIVE UPDATES
Catch us for latest Bollywood News, New Bollywood Movies update, Box office collection, New Movies Release , Bollywood News Hindi, Entertainment News, Bollywood Live News Today & Upcoming Movies 2025 and stay updated with latest hindi movies only on Bollywood Hungama.
