Throwback: ‘she is extremely competitive, and so am I’ When Chunky Paday said working with Ananya Panday |

On this special occasion of Ananya Panday’s 27th birthday, veteran actor Chunky Panday can’t help but joke about the potential ‘one-upmanship’ that might ensue if they ever shared the spotlight on screen. He light-heartedly noted that he’s always believed in giving Ananya the freedom to carve her own path, instead of pushing her towards acting.

Veteran actor Chunky Panday, known for his comic timing and effortless screen presence, has entertained audiences for decades with hits like ‘Aankhen’, ‘Housefull’, and ‘Tezaab’. His daughter, Ananya Panday, has followed her own successful path, making a mark with films like ‘Gehraiyaan’, ‘Dream Girl 2’, and ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’. As Ananya celebrates her 27th birthday today, the proud father shared a lighthearted take on what it would be like to work with her someday and as expected, he didn’t hold back his signature wit.

The idea of working together

In a chat with IANS, Chunky admitted that the thought of acting alongside his daughter is both exciting and amusing. He said they’d probably try to outshine one another if they ever shared the screen. “Ananya and I will have a lot of fun if we work together. We will have that one-upmanship because she is extremely competitive, and so am I,” he said. With a grin, he added, “If we come in front of the camera, main toh purana chawal hun (I am old), so I try to hog the limelight. Ananya will also try some tricks. There will be a rivalry.”

Letting his daughter find her own way

In another conversation with Hindustan Times, Chunky reflected on Ananya’s journey into films and revealed he never pushed her to follow in his footsteps. “If my daughter chose to get into films, it’s her prerogative, I’ve not forced her. I wanted to become a doctor. I couldn’t become one. My father was a renowned heart surgeon and my mother was a doctor. I must confess that I tried. And I just couldn’t succeed. Then I became an actor. Kids today decide what they want to do.”The actor’s honesty highlights his belief in giving children freedom to choose their paths, a rare quality in an industry where family legacies often dictate careers.

On the work front

Directed by Sameer Vidwans, Ananya will share the screen with Kartik Aaryan in ‘Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri’, is set to release on February 13, She also stars opposite ‘Bad***s of Bollywood’ actor Lakshya in ‘Chand Mera Dil’, directed by Vivek Soni. Chunky Panday resently seen in ‘Housefull 5’and ‘Son of Sardaar 2’