Its Chunky Pandays birthday today. As the actor turns 61 on September 26, 2020, we look at his journey in filmdom along with some rare, unseen photos from his personal album.
However, he prefers to be called Chunky. "It is unfortunate that your name and nickname, which stay with you all through your lifetime, are not chosen by you! Between Suyash and Chunky, I prefer Chunky. When Pahlaj Nihalani was launching me with Aag Hi Aag in 1987, he had launched Govinda the year before and he also wanted to give me a name from the Ramayana or Mahabharata. But I felt that it wouldn't suit me because my face is modern. Pahlaj didn't even know the meaning of Chunky but his kids freaked out on the name as it was easy to pronounce.
In picture: A picture from Chunky Panday's childhood days with his parents, grandparents and sibling.
Chunky Panday's father Sharad Panday was a renowned heart surgeon. He was part of the team of surgeons who performed the first-ever heart transplant in India at the King Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth Gordhandas Sunderdas Medical College in Mumbai. Chunky's mother Snehlata Panday was a physician by profession. "I wanted to become a doctor. I couldn't become one. My father was a renowned heart surgeon and my mother was doctor. I must confess that I tried. And I just couldn’t succeed. Then I became an actor," said Chunky.
In picture: (L to R) Chunky's brother Aloke Sharad Panday aka Chikki Panday, his kids - Ahaan and Allana, wife Deanne Pandey, Chunky's wife Bhavana Pandey, Chunky, his mother Dr Snehalata Panday, Ananya Panday (in pink frock) and Dr Sharad Panday.
Another lesser-known fact about Chunky Panday is that the actor has a huge interest in the constellations. "If I wasn't an actor I would definitely be an astronaut. I was very curious as a child. In fact, I even believed that I didn't belong to planet Earth. The Milky Way, the planets and their orbits fascinate me no end. I often dragged my parents to the planetarium and would often go stargazing in the nights," said Chunky.
In picture: Chunky Panday shared this picture on Instagram and wrote alongside, "My Mahurat for Aag Hi Aag 1987. First Film. First day. First shot."
Well, Chunky Panday is a good baker too! He can bake delicious cakes. "I need a recipe book but I am a baker. In my childhood, I would bake. I would have become a baker if not an actor.
In picture: A still from the movie Vishwatma (1992).
One more fact about Chunky Panday that you probably may not know is that the actor is an avid swimmer. On days when he is not shooting, he swims for over an hour each day. No wonder that at age 58 the actor looks so fit. "I swim about a kilometre and a half everyday and if I get the chance I try and cycle. I walk a lot," said Chunky.
In picture: A still from the movie Aankhen (1993).
Do you know why Chunky Panday avoids wearing shoes? Well, the actor had confessed once that he can't tie or untie his laces! "So, I avoid wearing sneakers or boots too often, as it's embarrassing to get my laces done by others. I have a few pointed toe shoes in my closet. But I simply love flip flops as they come in a variety of colours (laughs out loud)
In picture: Chunky Panday posted this picture from his first ad in the 90s.
Chunky Panday has had a unique dressing style. The actor, who used to often be seen in bright Hawaiian shirts or bold printed jackets, has always had an adventurous sense of fashion. "I like to wear colours that reflect my mood. So, it's no wonder that you'll mostly see me in bright shades as I am a very optimistic person. In fact, I never liked wearing muted colours. There are a lot of reds, blues, oranges, greens in my wardrobe. My name is always associated with psychedelic colours like hot pink, orange and fluorescent green," said Chunky Panday cheekily.
In picture: Chunky Panday with the cast and crew of the film Housefull. His role of Aakhri Pasta in the Housefull series won him new generation fans in the 2010s. "Mama Mia! I am just a-joking" was his popular dialogue from the franchise.
However, his wife Bhavana Pandey sooner or later managed to tone down his dressing sense considerably. "She's got me wearing olive, beige, browns and earthy shades at public dos. Thanks to her, I don't get critics anymore," concluded Chunky.
In picture: Chunky Panday with wife Bhavana.
Did you know Chunky Panday was Akshay Kumar's acting instructor, nearly three decades ago? "The place where Chunky Panday sahab used to learn acting, he used to be my senior there. When I used to go there as a junior, we used to look up to him and we used to wait for the moment when he would come. His film 'Aag Hi Aag' (1987) had released, which was a super-duper hit. I used to be a huge fan of Chunky Panday," Akshay Kumar had revealed this fact during a promotional event of Housefull 3.
Talking about his film career, Chunky Panday was one of the top heroes of late '80s and early '90s. However, a sudden dip in his Bollywood career hit Chunky Panday hard.
In picture: Chunky with daughter actress Ananya Panday.
