Chunky Panday’s debut in Bollywood with Aag Hi Aag in 1987 was marked by rapid success, with several hit films that catapulted him to fame. However, as new stars began to dominate the industry, his career took a downturn. In a candid interview, Panday opened up about feeling “lost” in the 90s as actors like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Govinda, and Ajay Devgn emerged and solidified their positions.
Chunky Panday’s journey to his first film was marked by multiple rejections. He recalled failed auditions for TV and film, including one memorable moment when a producer-director known for romantic films dismissed him for his muscular look. “I remember going to the office of a very famous producer-director… I was wearing a tank top… He said, ‘I am not making Tarzan, you can go to B Subhash’s office.’” Despite these setbacks, fate intervened when he secured his debut role after an unexpected encounter in a five-star hotel restroom, following three years of persistence.
As the industry evolved, Panday found it increasingly difficult to maintain his place. By the mid-90s, distinct niches had emerged for Bollywood’s top stars: Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, and Sunny Deol became action heroes; Shah Rukh Khan defined romance; Aamir Khan focused on emotionally impactful dramas, and Salman Khan found massive success under the direction of Sooraj Barjatya. “I came when the galaxy was exploding… I did get lost,” Chunky Panday remarked, acknowledging the intense competition that saw him overshadowed by bigger names.
Chunky Panday described 1988 as the best year of his career, a brief period when he basked in success before his prominence faded. His willingness to take on any work led to a lack of direction in his career. “I was that young blood who always wanted to keep working and was taking on any kind of work, trying to make money. Then, you can’t chart your career very well because your priorities become very different,” he reflected./
Despite the challenges, Panday holds himself accountable for his career trajectory. “Too many people came in at that time, but I had no one to blame but myself,” he admitted. His focus on staying busy and earning money came at the cost of strategic career moves, preventing him from establishing a sustainable foothold as the competition surged.
As Panday gears up for his new Netflix project, Vijay 69, he looks back on his journey with both pride and honesty. His story is a reminder of the highs and lows that come with fame and the ever-changing dynamics of Bollywood.
