Chunky Panday Reflects on His Journey from Struggles to Stardom
Mumbai: Bollywood actor Chunky Panday recently opened up about his early days in the film industry and how times have changed, in an interview with the news agency IANS. The actor, who currently stars in the TVF-produced series Industry, shared some intriguing anecdotes from his past, revealing the hardships he endured and the unique path he took to stardom.
The Struggles of Yesteryears
Reflecting on his early career, Chunky Panday recalled his days as a part-time car dealer while struggling to secure acting roles. “My struggling days were very different; there were no casting directors or digital media. We had to wait in long queues in front of producers’ offices to show them our photo albums. We also had to dance and enact scenes from popular films right there,” he said. Despite the challenges, Panday described those days as “fun,” mentioning that driving various cars every day was one of the perks of his part-time hustle.
Chunky Panday debuted in the film industry with the 1987 multi-starrer film Aag Hi Aag, setting the stage for what would become a long and varied career. His reflections offer a stark contrast to the current landscape of Bollywood, which now benefits from streamlined processes and digital platforms that simplify the casting process.
Experience on TVF’s Industry
Panday also discussed his role in Industry, a series produced by The Viral Fever (TVF) that delves into the life of Aayush Verma, played by Gagan Arora, an ambitious screenwriter navigating the complexities of the film industry. Speaking about his co-stars, who include Guneet Monga, Ankita Goraya, Kunal Kapoor, and others, Chunky expressed admiration for the new generation of actors.
“It was a pleasure working with this new generation. Their performances are so nuanced and organic. Working with them motivated me to evolve, and I gained a great deal of knowledge from this experience,” he said. The veteran actor emphasized that he is looking forward to many more seasons of the show, which is currently streaming on Amazon miniTV.
Continuous Evolution
Even after decades in the industry, Chunky Panday shows no signs of slowing down. His willingness to learn and adapt keeps him relevant in an ever-changing industry. His last appearance was in the 2022 sports action film Liger – Saala Crossbreed, where he starred alongside Vijay Deverakonda and Ananya Panday, continuing to showcase his versatility as an actor.
In an industry that has seen seismic shifts in how talent is discovered and developed, Chunky Panday’s career offers a compelling narrative of persistence, adaptability, and evolution. From long queues outside producers’ offices to streaming on digital platforms, his journey mirrors the transformation of Bollywood itself.
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