In an industry where reinvention is often the key to sustained success, Bollywood actor Chunky Panday finds himself embarking on a new phase of his cinematic journey, guided by none other than his seasoned colleague, Anupam Kher. As they reunite for the Netflix dramedy “Vijay 69,” Panday shares intriguing insights into how this collaboration has profoundly influenced his acting style, alongside an exploration of his evolving career aspirations.
The year was 1988 when Chunky Panday and Anupam Kher first shared the screen in the film “Tezaab.” For Panday, a budding actor at the time, the experience was defining. Although his performance earned him his very first acting nomination, the trophy ultimately went to Kher. Fast forward several decades, and the duo is collaborating once again in “Vijay 69.” This time, however, Kher has taken on the role of mentor, encouraging Panday to depart from his historically flamboyant performances for a more nuanced portrayal.
Chunky Panday takes on the role of a Parsi character in “Vijay 69,” and it’s a marked departure from his usual repertoire, known for larger-than-life roles. Seeking to bring authenticity to this character, Panday credits Kher’s guidance in shaping his more restrained performance. “When I play a character, I make it over the top and a caricature. He told me to control my performance as it’s not that kind of film,” Panday reveals. It’s clear the actor has embraced this opportunity for growth, responding remarkably to the new direction and insights provided by Kher.
Both the serendipitous reunion with Kher and the ongoing evolution of digital storytelling through platforms like Netflix have significantly impacted Panday’s outlook on acting. As an industry veteran, Panday notes the myriad stories available on OTT platforms have helped him regard his craft in a new light. “When I entered the industry, I wanted to be a star; acting happened later,” Panday confesses.
. Reflecting on bygone days, he acknowledges a simpler time when heroes were invariably the good guys, whereas actors like Kher delved into diverse roles representing various shades of morality. In recent years, Panday is welcoming opportunities to portray characters that encompass the full spectrum of human nature—an endeavor for which Kher himself is renowned.
As Panday pivots into this refined phase in his acting career, he’s also been reflecting on the career trajectory of his daughter, Ananya Panday. Like many fathers, he once had traditional aspirations for her career, envisioning her as the quintessential Bollywood star. Yet, the younger Panday has received critical acclaim for performances in projects like “CTRL” and “Call Me Bae,” proving to be a gifted actress in her own right. Chunky Panday admits to initial disagreements with Ananya regarding her career path. “I used to have fights with her because I felt she should do [mainstream] cinema and she’d say, ‘Dad, I want to be an actor.’ I’d respond saying, ‘You be an actor later, first you become a star.’ Now, I’m realizing that perhaps she was right,” he reflects.
Returning to his own pursuits, Chunky Panday shares that Kher’s unwavering belief in his talent for “Vijay 69” has been a substantial morale boost. Kher’s assertion that Panday is in the running for an award this time—after Kher’s own victory for “Vijay” back in 1988—reinforces Panday’s renewed faith in his versatility as a performer. “Kher saab assured me that I will win for Vijay 69,” beams the actor. It’s a sentiment that highlights how relationships between colleagues in the film industry can lead to meaningful artistic transformations.
In summation, Chunky Panday’s collaboration with Anupam Kher on “Vijay 69” marks a pivotal moment not only in Panday’s professional journey but also in his personal transformation as an actor. It’s an opportunity for reinvention, instigated by mentorship and a willingness to break the mold of his previously established screen persona, underscoring the constant evolution that defines an actor’s life—and sets the stage for what is to come.
