Chunky Panday, who enjoyed stardom in the late 1980s with a string of hits, faced a challenging phase in his career as Bollywood’s landscape changed with the arrival of stars like Aamir Khan and Salman Khan. Despite brief success in the early 1990s with films like Vishwatama and Aankhen, his momentum waned, leaving him without work.
Reflecting on this period, Chunky Pandey shared in an interview that the uncertainty pushed him to explore opportunities in Bangladesh, where he found significant success. “I was confused about what had happened here, so I decided to go and work in Bangladesh. I had a good run there for five years,” he said.
During his time in Bangladesh, Chunky married Bhavana in 1998, marking a significant personal milestone. He humorously recalled that their honeymoon coincided with his film commitments in Bangladesh. “I took Bhavana for half a honeymoon to Bangladesh because I had to complete a film. I feel even Ananya was conceived in Bangladesh,” he joked.
While juggling work and personal life, Chunky Pandey acknowledged Bhavana’s role in motivating him to revive his Bollywood career. Her encouragement prompted his return to Mumbai, where he started looking for opportunities while adjusting to life as a new parent.
Chunky and Bhavana’s love story faced its share of challenges, including geographical distance—Chunky in Mumbai and Bhavana in Delhi. However, their bond grew stronger over time. Chunky fondly recalled meeting Bhavana at a disco, where he memorized her phone number to stay in touch. The couple tied the knot on January 17, 1998, a union that signified a new chapter in both their lives.
