Reflecting on his three-decade career, Vijay 69 movie actor Chunky Panday shared his feelings on being overshadowed by the stars of Bollywood during his career.
Chunky Panday recently shared about his film industry career in an interview with SCREEN and revealed the series of ups and downs he has seen in the field. Chunky Panday acted in the recently released film Vijay 69 which brought him back to the Bollywood films.
Star in the Shadows
Throughout his remarkable 30-year career, Chunky Panday has wowed cinephiles with his versatile performances. The veteran actor has consistently been on the screen ever since the 1980s and 1990s until the present. Yet, in a recent interview, he candidly mentioned that he felt eclipsed by the rise of legendary actors like Govinda, Ajay Devgn, and Salman Khan in the late 80s and early 90s.
He explained in an interview with Indian Express, “I got lost. I came when the galaxy was exploding—1986 was Govinda, I came in ’87, the next year was Aamir, Salman came in 1989, and Ajay was in 1990. So, they just kept coming, these big superstars. I did get lost, and I enjoyed my honeymoon for exactly a year. That whole year of 1988 was fantastic for me, and then, everything just faded out.”
Taking Responsibility
Despite feeling overshadowed by his peers, Panday does not attribute his journey to anybody else. Rather, he takes full accountability for his career path. “I was that young blood who always wanted to keep working and was taking on any kind of work, trying to make money,” he said. “Then, you can’t chart your career very well because your priorities become very different. But then again, there is also a lot of luck involved. If I had to relive my life, I will still go through the same process because I have also enjoyed my ups and downs. Let me tell you, downs are also great. Nobody is watching you; you are not being judged when you are down—you can do anything.”
Vibrant and Long Career
In 1987, Chunky Panday debuted his first film Aag Hi Aag. He has appeared in numerous films ever since, showcasing his versatility in each project including Khatron Ke Khiladi, Mitti Aur Sona, and Ghar Ka Chiraag. Panday’s ability to adapt and take on unique roles has kept him relevant in the constantly changing film industry.
Moving Forward
Panday along with co-star Anupam Kher, will be seen in the film Vijay 69 which will be released on November 8, Sunday on Netflix. Chunky Panday continues to inspire the audience and co-stars with his resilience and passion for acting and with his rich history in cinema and promising future ahead. As Panday reflects on his past, it’s evident that his path is filled with full of setbacks and victories which have shaped him into the beloved actor he is today.