From his unforgettable comic timing as Aakhri Pasta in Housefull to early hits like Tezaab, Apna Sapna Money Money and Aankhen, Chunky Panday has carved a niche in Hindi cinema with a career that has seen many turns. In Manali shooting for his upcoming film Rahu Ketu sometime back, Chunky, in an exclusive conversation with us, talked about his new project, a long-lost film that never released, his experience working on The Royals, and watching the women in his life, wife Bhavana and daughter Ananya steal the spotlight in their own ways.

Chunky spent considerable time shooting in Manali in the early monsoon for his new film Rahu Ketu. Telling us about his time spent there, the actor said that this was his second film shoot in Manali, the first one never being released.

“I came back to Manali after ages to shoot. I had done a film here 35 years ago, and I was so excited to come back here for this film. That film, based on a novel by Shashi Tharoor called Bollywood: Show Business, never released,” recalled the 62 year-old actor.

The actor also shared his experience of shooting Rahu Ketu in Manali. “Manali is beautiful, I’d love to come here in winters when it snows. The weather was perfect then in June-July. It was crowded at that time, but very beautiful. It is sad to see how badly it is affected due to floods. I hope and pray that people there are safe. They were so good to us when we were there.”

Lately, Chunky has been happily soaking in the success of the women in his life. Speaking of his wife Bhavana, who found fame after her stint in Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives, he shared, “I was with Bhavana in Paris after the show released. A group foreigners stopped and wanted a photo with her. They were so excited to see her and actually handed me the camera to take a picture of them with her. I was so happy seeing that fandom for her and thought to myself that ‘this is like the ultimate moment’.”

“First I was Chunky Panday, then I became Ananya’s dad and now I’m known as Bhavana’s husband. So I’m loving it. I think I’m enjoying Ananya’s success and whatever success Bhavana is getting now more than I’ve enjoyed my own success. When I was successful, I was too busy working to enjoy it. But this is something I really enjoy. I love being known as Ananya’s father or Bhavana’s husband, it makes me so proud of these women in my life, who have an identity of their own,” said the Don actor.

Speaking of a cherished moment that came from a tribute and not a trophy, the actor shared one of the most emotional moments during an awards function in Mumbai. “The whole theme was fan moments where actors paid tribute to someone they had always admired. Ananya came on stage, did a little number and said she wanted to pay tribute to someone who always made her laugh. I whispered to Bhavana that she’s probably going to call out SRK’s name. But she started the segment with a Neelam song, and I thought maybe it’s for Neelam. But then, she broke into my songs one after the other. I was just stunned with the realization that my daughter was paying a tribute to me,” said the actor.

Seen in the web show The Royals, Chunky again portrayed a flirtatious comic character, one which he has often portrayed on screen. When asked if he views being typecast as limiting he said, “On the contrary, I love to be stereotyped! I’m flattered, in fact. Yes, there definitely is a comfort in playing roles that one can master well. However, I felt so nice doing The Royals. I felt like a star doing it..”

He went on to add, “When I did the character Aakhri Pasta in Housefull, everyone just wanted me to do similar roles. Similarly, when I had done a Nepali character, many people wanted to cast me as a Nepali in their film. It’s very flattering when that one thing clicks. But, I always try to break the image and give a little different taste to the audience. And that’s why in Rahu Ketu, I’m playing a villain.”

Ask if he would change anything about his career trajectory if given a chance, the Tezaab actor shared, “If I went and changed the course of my career, maybe the chances were I would not meet Bhavana, and the chances are that Ananya and Rysa wouldn’t be born. So, I would not want to change anything in my life,” he said.

“I was a very last-moment addition to The Royals. They called me up and asked me two things: ‘are these dates available? And do you know horse-riding?’ And I lied about both,” he chuckled. “I was a horse rider in my first film. But it had been almost 40 years since I got onto a horse. And here I had to play polo with Ishaan Khatter, who had been practicing it for two months. I was surprised that the role fell into my lap. I hope they consider me for a second season as well. My character is a very integral part of the story,” he added.

Whenever there is a series about the entertainment industry, an award show sequence is almost always woven into it. It seems to be true of Aryan Khan’s debut series, Stardom, as well. mid-day has learnt that the first-time writer-director began shooting an award function scene in Mehboob Studios in Bandra yesterday. Sources tell us that as many as 18 stars have been lined up for the sequence.

On Friday, Rajkummar Rao, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Shanaya Kapoor filmed their portions. A source reveals further, “On Saturday, Aryan will shoot with his superstar-father Shah Rukh Khan, Sara Ali Khan, and social media influencer Orhan Awatramani aka Orry. Seasoned actors Karisma Kapoor and Neelam, as well as personalities from Bollywood’s inner circle, including Seema Khan, Bhavana Pandey, and Maheep Kapoor, are expected to join. With so many industry figures making cameos, it will be an exhaustive affair. The director plans to wrap up filming by Sunday.” The sequence, we are told, serves as a crucial plot point in the show.

For his maiden directorial venture that is led by Mona Singh and Lakshya, Aryan has chosen to take an intimate look at the world that he knows best—showbiz. Stardom, slated to drop on Netflix next year, has been described as the story of “an ambitious outsider navigating the glitzy yet tricky world of Bollywood.”

It’s a busy day at the Panday household as they gear up for Ganeshotsav, which begins today. The fervour can be felt as we are welcomed by actor Chunky Panday, wife Bhavana and her mum, Chitra Khosla, before we sit down for an exclusive shoot and chat with Ananya Panday.

“Ganeshotsav has always been my favourite festival,” exclaims the actor, dressed in a purple and golden saree.

The 24-year-old adds, “When I was young, we’d celebrate this (Ganesh Chaturthi) at school. I would go to my friends’ houses, too. I have always felt a connection with Bappa; he used to be my mobile wallpaper at one point! I always felt very calm looking into his eyes. As a child, I’d ask my mum, ‘When will we bring him home?’ And every year, she’d say, ‘When you are responsible enough to do the rituals yourself’.”

That finally happened in 2018, when she started shooting for her debut film, Student Of The Year 2. “She (Bhavana) said, ‘You are ready now’,” says Ananya, who oversees the preparations as well as decor. “Now, I think it’s going to be a generational ritual of bringing Bappa home. It’s our fifth year this time,” adds the actor.

The Pandays ensure they opt for an eco-friendly Ganpati idol. Given their busy schedules, they keep the idol usually for a day and a half, as opposed to the conventional 10-day practice. “But, in that period, there is always someone around. We feed Bappa before we eat,” shares Ananya, adding that the idol is immersed at home itself, in a “special drum”.

“We play music and dance from the hall to the balcony. We pour the water in our plants, so there’s a piece of Bappa with us all year round,” she signs off.

Fame and adulation aside, being a part of showbiz comes with constant scrutiny, and as a result, something or the other is almost always said about an actor’s love life. But, as someone who has been witness to it all, actor-entrepreneur Bhavana Pandey is unfazed. She believes that such rumours are part and parcel of her husband, actor Chunky Panday and daughter, actor Ananya Panday’s professional life.

“Chunky and Ananya have decided to put themselves in front of the camera, be out there to get judged. They are well aware of what comes with being who they are. However, if anything is said about my younger daughter (Rysa), that would affect me because she has not chosen it (to be out there),” she tells us.

As a mother, Bhavana says she guides her daughter on a lot of aspects, major or minuscule: “I tell her the smallest of things, like comb your hair or wear ironed clothes! But, Ananya knows how to handle herself. She was 18-19 when she joined the industry, that’s the age when the maximum learning happens. You make mistakes, you learn, you grow. She’s done it all while being in the public eye. So considering that, I believe she’s doing great.”

In the last two years, Bhavana has herself gained celeb status through her web outing, Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives. She admits she was apprehensive while filming the first season. “The fact that a lot of people watched the show is amazing. I know so many people who met for coffee, lunch and even created WhatsApp groups to chat about it. We can’t expect everyone to love it. But, it should become a topic of discussion. Love us, hate us, but don’t ignore us,” she wraps up.

It isn’t easy to get the reticent Gauri Khan to make an appearance on a show. Ask Karan Johar, who has convinced her to return to Koffee With Karan 17 years since her last appearance. This time around, the producer-interior designer is joined by friends Maheep Kapoor and Bhavana Pandey.

The conversation, laced with wit and humour, sees the ladies discuss it all — from Shah Rukh Khan’s epic parties to stars’ airport looks, and Gauri’s dating advice to daughter Suhana Khan.

In a segment of the Disney+ Hotstar offering, Gauri opens up on how having a superstar husband also comes with its baggage. The entrepreneur, who has a successful interior designing business and hit Hindi movie productions to her name, says, “When [working on] a new project, there are some people who consider me a designer. But there are also times when it does not work out that way because people do not want to get attached to the baggage of working with Shah Rukh Khan’s wife. It works against me 50 per cent of the time.”

“If I had to relive my life, I’d do the exact same things,” says Chunky Panday, looking back at his 35-year-long career in films. The actor, who made his debut with Aag Hi Aag (1987), says he has no regrets, and adds, “I’ve enjoyed the ups, downs, laughter, pain, excitement and adventure. It has been a game of hits and misses, like a casino.”

What has helped him tackle the brickbats is his happy-go-lucky attitude. “I like to make people happy. I was watching Mera Naam Joker (1970) and realised I should call myself a happy joker!” quips Panday, who turns 59 today.

And this one will be a working birthday for the actor. “I had earlier planned to take the girls somewhere and have a destination birthday. But currently, Ananya (daughter, actor), Bhavana (wife) and I are busy shooting,” he says.

Ask what his mantra would be going forward, and Panday says, “I treat life as a game of cricket. The idea is to stay at the crease and bat. I’ve seen all shades of life as a hero. I faded into oblivion and came back. But, I have always kept my head and spirits high.”

At the age of 22, Ananya Panday has already had three releases and is shooting for two more apart from having more projects lined up. But the actor says that she isn’t looking to be part of any rat race.

“I believe in healthy competition. It can be really fun and motivating,” she says, adding, “Having said that, I really get happy when other people my age do something good. I was really excited to watch Coolie No 1 (2020), and kept telling Sara (Ali Khan, actor) she’s so fabulous in all the songs. We jam to each other’s music. I feel happy when I see everyone do well. It also motivates me and helps me set the benchmark higher,” she says.

Liger, opposite Vijay Deverakonda, and Shakun Batra’s untitled next are on Panday’s 2021 calendar. Getting carried away with the fame would be pretty easy, but Panday has people around her to keep her focused.

“My family and friends keep me grounded. I still have the same friends I had when I was four years old. I was in the same school with the same batch mates for twelve years. Nothing in my personal life has changed at all. Once I am done shooting, I am at home, a normal girl who fights with her sister, and her parents don’t allow her to do things (laughs). Both my parents (actor Chunky Panday and Bhavana Pandey) are extremely humble,” says the actor.

Panday has seen the Hindi film industry change a lot from her father’s time. She adds, “Definitely people are different here, it’s like a different zone now, compared to when my dad was a part of it. I feel there’s still a sense of unity and brotherhood in the industry. It has also been kind and welcoming towards me. I feel they are very supportive. All the films I worked in and am working in, everyone I met on those sets are like family to me. I am in touch with most people.”

She has been known as Chunky Panday’s wife and Ananya Panday’s mum, but after her reality TV series debut, Bhavana Pandey has got her own fan following.

“My Instagram DMs used to be full of messages like, ‘Ma’am, I’m a big fan of Ananya or Chunky but now those messages are, ‘Ma’am, we loved you’,” shares Bhavana. However, she admits that getting on board the series Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives was a tough call to take, and involved lengthy discussions with her family. “I’ve been a VJ and model in my early 20s but that age was different. Now, I’m Chunky’s wife and Ananya and Rysa’s mother. Suddenly putting myself out there for the world to judge you was a little scary,” she confesses.

Other than Bhavana, the show focuses on the lives of her friends, Neelam Kothari, Maheep Kapoor and Seema Khan, wives of Bollywood actors Samir Soni, Sanjay Kapoor and Sohail Khan respectively. “Having them around made the apprehensions slowly go away,” she adds. Asked if it means more on-screen ventures, she says, “I know I’ll not be able to act to save my life. Two actors are enough in the family.”

While the show received a mixed response, Bhavana has seen trolling at close quarters about her daughter, Ananya. “Initially, it used to affect me a lot. I agree they’re actors and should be open to criticism, but it should be constructive and meaningful,” she adds.

Karan Johar’s Netflix drama Fabulous Lives Of Bollywood Wives may have attracted criticism, with people deeming it to be a “cringe-watch”, but actor Bhavana Pandey says the fact that it has been consumed means it was a quality watch.

"I often felt hurt when people said unpleasant things about my loved ones (Ananya Panday and Chunky Panday), but with this show while there were mixed reactions, I also received constructive criticism. That teaches you how to improve. You may love me or hate me, but, don't ignore (the show). If you watch it, you will have an opinion. But, the fact is that you watched it, and that says a lot," says Chunky's wife, who featured in it along with three other Bollywood star-wives, Seema Khan, Maheep Kapoor and Neelam Kothari Soni.

Pandey admits that while a major chunk may disagree, the show has found an audience that appreciated it. “Ananya’s friends, who study overseas, loved the show. Recently, Ananya was on a flight when the captain told her he loved the show, and called it his guilty pleasure,” she makes a case for herself. 

Hoping for the platform to green-light a follow up season of the series, Pandey says, “I would love to do it. I am no longer apprehensive and now we know how to improve. We are waiting to hear the good news.”

When asked why she isn’t considering other offers, she says, “I am not looking to pursue a career in acting nor have I received any offers. This show worked because there was no acting involved. It was natural.”

Along with an attack on our health, this year saw an assault of another kind, equally discussed. The attack on Bollywood royalty. Superstars were "shown their place", say critics, especially on social media, as the aam junta questioned their entitlement, the power of privilege that comes with being someone important's someone.

Ironically, a new digital show that's been at the centre of much chatter, discusses and celebrates this very privilege, as it puts four wives of Bollywood stars—Neelam Kothari (married to Samir Soni), Seema Khan (Sohail Khan), Maheep Kapoor (Sanjay Kapoor) and Bhavana Pandey (Chunky Pandey; is mother to Ananya Panday)—in the spotlight. The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives promises to offer entry into filmi families, which have been at the vortex of the nepotism debate recently. "People will finally know that our lives aren't glamorous 24/7. And, that we are not perfect!" says Khan, wife to Sohail Khan, brother to Bollywood's biggest superstar Salman Khan and daughter-in-law to veteran scriptwriter Salim Khan. Kothari argues that they may look perfect, but that doesn't mean, "they don't have their insecurities".

Whatever the protagonists may say, the audiences are going to watch for a glimpse of the perfection and glamour that defines, even if erroneously, Bollywood. What is going to come as a surprise though, is the candidness with which the show is presented. Khan confesses that she is obsessed with the Kardashians, while actor Samir Soni discusses Neelam's fear of facing audience judgment with a return to screen after years. And Pandey laughs about her love of "water bras". And they all have real jobs. Kothari and Kapoor are jewellery designers; Pandey runs a fashion brand called Love Gen; Khan is a fashion designer. But as Kapoor says, their kids come before career. Pandey adds, "We will be in super important meetings, but when your child calls, it means you have to put them before anything and everything."

The show, produced by Karan Johar, is full of real, and some hilarious moments. Some of it is over the top, yes, but all of it, entertaining.

When we get on a Zoom call with the four, they seem to be a bunch not too concerned about challenging any odd perceptions you may have. Pandey, who comes across as the most grounded, says, "Honestly, this show was not intended to challenge misconceptions. We are not trying to prove anything. We are behaving the way we would ordinarily—we are women who multitask, like every woman out there." Kapoor says they are an emotional bunch. They've known each other for 20-odd years, and that's what people will see. "That's close to 25 years of relationships and friendship. I am hoping women will connect with us."

Interestingly, the four weren't very keen to put themselves out there when the idea was presented to them. Kothari says different triggers set each of them off, and all of them lost their cool at some point while shooting. But it was the kids who got them to see its relevance in perspective. As Kapoor says, "It was very nerve-racking to put ourselves out there. But our kids made us see the light—life is short, who says no to Dharmatic [Johar's Dharma Productions] and Netflix! Tell your stories. And suddenly, we all said, 'why not, we must!'"

Kothari: That's the misconception in any field. You have to work hard to get where you are. You will never see success if you don't work hard.

Pandey: We are privileged, and we are blessed. But, there is everything else that comes with it. We experience the emotions you do—we are happy and sad. Ours is like any other family.

Kapoor: Very! Neelam was like 'hell, no!' Seema said yes, and Bhavna was thinking about it. Did we want people to judge us, and give so much access? No.

Pandey: I had been planning—okay, I will be controlled, and I will say this, and do that. But after a while, we went back to who we were. How long can you pretend?

Khan: I was fine till the shoot started. Then, when the cameras were in our house, we panicked a bit.

Kothari: I think what helped was that we had known each other for 25 years.

Kapoor: We are very possessive mothers. That will resonate for sure.

Pandey: We all multistask like everyone else, especially like everyone has during the pandemic!

Khan: Maheep is obviously Samantha, and Neelam is very much like Charlotte. I think Bhavana and I oscillate, and have a bit of both Miranda and Carrie in us.

Neelam Kothari, Bhavana Pandey, Maheep Kapoor and Seema Khan

While 2016 began with several B-town couples calling time on their relationship, it seems to be closing on a less acrimonious note for some of them. Hrithik Roshan was recently spotted holidaying with ex-wife, Sussanne Roshan, and their sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan, in Dubai, where they also visited Motiongate, a Hollywood-inspired theme park.

Later, Sussanne took to the social media to share their excitement, captioning a picture, “Family pack meets ghostbusters and the best ride on the planet... Krrish at parks the day about palm trees & eighty degrees (sic).“

Now, another estranged couple, Arbaaz Khan and Malaika Arora, are bidding the year goodbye with a family trip in Goa with their 14-year-old son Arhaan. Munni is soaking up the sun in the tourist state with her parents, sister Amrita Arora, brother-in-law Shakeel Ladak, friends Ritesh and Dolly Sidhwani, and Chunky and Bhavana Pandey since the last three days. Arbaaz joined them recently. In a group shot, the ex-Mr and Mrs are seen posing happily at dinner.



“They have been enjoying the sunsets and water sports, clicking selfies and clinking glasses, going out for lavish dinners, places where they could take the kids along,“ informs a source close to the couple. While Chunky and Bhavana have returned to the Maximum City, the rest of the gang is expected to be back only in the New Year.

Malaika and the 49-year-old actor-producer decided to part ways after 17 years of marriage. Arbaaz confirmed reports of the separation earlier this year to Mirror (August 17), stating, “At this point of time we are not together, we are separated, and that's about it.“

Arbaaz and his estranged wife were last spotted together in November at the Bandra Family Court for their first and mandatory counselling session. More recently, Malaika had been conspicuous by her absence at Salman Khan's 51st birthday celebration at his Panvel farmhouse.

Sonakshi Sinha, who recently returned from a work trip in New York, ushered in her 29th birthday with gal pals Seema Khan, Maheep Kapoor, Bhavana Pandey and designer Laila Motwane at a private bash on Wednesday night. While Sona and Seema turned up in colour-coordinated whites, the girl gang danced the night away on some of their fave tracks. The group was later joined by Sona's close friend, Bunty Sajdeh. On Thursday, Seema sent birthday greetings to Sona on the social media with snapshots from the bash. 

Meanwhile, the actress kicked off the day by sharing a teaser of her next, the coming-of-age drama Noor which is based on Pakistani journalist-writer Saba Imtiaz's 2014 novel, Karachi You're Killing Me!, in which she plays the titular character. The film rolls in Mumbai, this July. “I can't wait to begin this journey. It's already on such a positive note. Thank you all for the overwhelming response. That's been the best birthday gift so far,“ Sona posted online.

Here's wishing Shotgun Jr many more gloriously happy returns of the day.