In a recent episode of Two Much, the celebrity chat show hosted by Twinkle Khanna and Kajol, actor Chunky Panday recounted a surprising twist in his career, revealing how he became the ‘Amitabh Bachchan’ of Bangladesh. Known for his memorable supporting roles in Bollywood, Chunky revealed how a detour to Bangladesh’s film industry earned him the title of “Amitabh Bachchan of Bangladesh.”
Speaking candidly on the show, Chunky explained how Bollywood didn’t always offer him the lead roles he aspired to. “I wasn’t getting romantic or action hero roles,” he said, “and I got stuck playing the friend of the hero in many films.” While his early hits like Tezaab brought him recognition, the typecast roles soon limited his chances to grow as a leading man.
‘Amitabh of Bangladesh’
It was during this period of frustration that Chunky’s journey took an unexpected turn. “I was on a plane to Hong Kong, but due to engine trouble, we had to make an emergency stop in Dhaka, Bangladesh,” he recounted with a smile. There, he met a local film producer who offered him a role in a Bangladeshi movie. What started as a chance encounter soon transformed Chunky’s career.
The Bangladeshi audience embraced him wholeheartedly. Films like Swami Keno Asami, Besh Korechi Prem Korechi, and Meyera A Manush became massive hits, and Chunky found himself at the center of it all. His style and screen presence reminded many of Bollywood’s legendary Amitabh Bachchan, earning him the affectionate nickname “Amitabh Bachchan of Bangladesh.”
The unexpected encounter that changed Chunky’s life
Chunky shared the key moment that jumpstarted his career. “I happened to bump into Pahlaj Nihalani in a bathroom. My career started there! At that time, there was no social media, so I didn’t know who he was. We were both in the bathroom and my drawstring was stuck. He helped me open it,” Chunky explained. He then asked Nihalani what he did for a living, and when Nihalani identified himself as a producer, Chunky introduced himself and expressed his desire to act in films. Nihalani invited him to his house the next day, and the very next day Chunky secured the role.
Career beginnings and family legacy
Chunky Panday made his acting debut in 1987 with the film Aag Hi Aag. After his stint in Bangladesh, Chunky returned to Bollywood in the early 2000s with films like Qayamat and continued to enjoy success, especially in comedic roles in Housefull and Paying Guest. He gained wider recognition for his supporting role as Babban in Tezaab. Today, his daughter Ananya Panday and his nephew Ahaan Pandey are also actors in the industry, continuing the family’s cinematic journey.
Speaking candidly on the show, Chunky explained how Bollywood didn’t always offer him the lead roles he aspired to. “I wasn’t getting romantic or action hero roles,” he said, “and I got stuck playing the friend of the hero in many films.” While his early hits like Tezaab brought him recognition, the typecast roles soon limited his chances to grow as a leading man.
‘Amitabh of Bangladesh’
It was during this period of frustration that Chunky’s journey took an unexpected turn. “I was on a plane to Hong Kong, but due to engine trouble, we had to make an emergency stop in Dhaka, Bangladesh,” he recounted with a smile. There, he met a local film producer who offered him a role in a Bangladeshi movie. What started as a chance encounter soon transformed Chunky’s career.
The Bangladeshi audience embraced him wholeheartedly. Films like Swami Keno Asami, Besh Korechi Prem Korechi, and Meyera A Manush became massive hits, and Chunky found himself at the center of it all. His style and screen presence reminded many of Bollywood’s legendary Amitabh Bachchan, earning him the affectionate nickname “Amitabh Bachchan of Bangladesh.”
The unexpected encounter that changed Chunky’s life
Chunky shared the key moment that jumpstarted his career. “I happened to bump into Pahlaj Nihalani in a bathroom. My career started there! At that time, there was no social media, so I didn’t know who he was. We were both in the bathroom and my drawstring was stuck. He helped me open it,” Chunky explained. He then asked Nihalani what he did for a living, and when Nihalani identified himself as a producer, Chunky introduced himself and expressed his desire to act in films. Nihalani invited him to his house the next day, and the very next day Chunky secured the role.
Career beginnings and family legacy
Chunky Panday made his acting debut in 1987 with the film Aag Hi Aag. After his stint in Bangladesh, Chunky returned to Bollywood in the early 2000s with films like Qayamat and continued to enjoy success, especially in comedic roles in Housefull and Paying Guest. He gained wider recognition for his supporting role as Babban in Tezaab. Today, his daughter Ananya Panday and his nephew Ahaan Pandey are also actors in the industry, continuing the family’s cinematic journey.
