Chunky Panday mourns Pahlaj Nihalani: 'Will Miss you, my Everything'
Synopsis
Chunky Panday's emotional Instagram montage for Pahlaj Nihalani — the man who launched his career in 1987 — captures what the late producer meant to an entire generation of Bollywood stars. Govinda's raw words at the funeral said it plainest: 'He took us from the ground, and made us soar.'
Key Takeaways
Chunky Panday shared a video montage on social media mourning late filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani , captioning it 'My EVERYTHING!' Pahlaj Nihalani passed away on 4 June at the age of 76 following a prolonged illness.
Last rites were held at the Santa Cruz crematorium , Mumbai , attended by Farhan Akhtar , Varun Dhawan , Govinda , and others.
Nihalani produced Chunky Panday's debut film 'Aag Hi Aag' in 1987 and the duo later collaborated on 'Ankhen' ( 1993 ).
Govinda called Nihalani 'the foundation of his existence' as a film artist.
Veteran actor Chunky Panday paid a heartfelt tribute to late filmmaker Pahlaj Nihalani on Saturday, sharing a video montage on social media that revisited decades of shared memories — from early shoot diaries to more recent photographs. The post came days after Nihalani's passing on 4 June at the age of 76 following a prolonged illness.
The Tribute Post
Chunky took to Instagram to share the clip, which traced the various stages of his bond with the veteran filmmaker. '@pahlajnihalani My EVERYTHING! Will Miss you (broken heart emoji) Om Shanti (Om emoji),' he captioned the post. The montage drew an outpouring of condolences from fans and industry peers in the comments.
A Bond Rooted in Cinema
The connection between the two men runs deep. Nihalani produced Chunky Panday's debut film 'Aag Hi Aag' in 1987, effectively launching his acting career. The duo collaborated again in 1993 for the drama 'Ankhen', which also starred Govinda. For Chunky, Nihalani was not merely a producer — he was the architect of his entry into Hindi cinema.
Industry Bids Farewell
Nihalani's last rites were held at the Santa Cruz crematorium in Mumbai on Thursday. Among those who attended were Farhan Akhtar, Shatrughan Sinha, Varun Dhawan, Govind Namdev, Kunal Kapoor, producers Ramesh Taurani and Boney Kapoor, and actress Neelam Kothari, alongside other prominent figures from the film industry.
Govinda's Emotional Farewell
Actor Govinda, who shared one of the closest bonds with the late producer, spoke to reporters at the funeral and described Nihalani as the cornerstone of his career. 'He was my foundation. I and other artistes, who were lifted from poverty by him, are deeply grateful to him. There must be at least a dozen or so artists in the country who were helped by him,' Govinda said.
He added: 'He took us from the ground, and made us soar to greater heights. I bow to the Sindhi community and to Pahlaj Nihalani ji. I pray to God to bless his soul with peace. I, and artistes, who have become famous all over the world, it's all because of him. I bow to him.'
Legacy of a Filmmaker
Pahlaj Nihalani was one of Bollywood's most prolific producers, known for backing several career-defining films of the 1980s and 1990s. He also served as the chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), a tenure that attracted considerable public debate. His passing marks the end of an era for a generation of Hindi film artists who credit him with shaping their careers. Tributes continue to pour in from across the industry.
Point of View
And the CBFC chairperson whose tenure was marked by controversy. Both are part of the same story, and flattening him into only a beloved mentor does his complicated public life a disservice.
NationPress
23 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pahlaj Nihalani?
Pahlaj Nihalani was a veteran Bollywood film producer known for backing several major Hindi films in the 1980s and 1990s, including the debut films of actors such as Chunky Panday. He also served as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). He passed away on 4 June at the age of 76.
How did Chunky Panday pay tribute to Pahlaj Nihalani?
Chunky Panday shared a video montage on Instagram on Saturday, featuring photographs from their decades-long association — from early shoot days to more recent times. He captioned the post calling Nihalani 'My EVERYTHING' and wrote 'Will Miss you.'
What was Chunky Panday's connection to Pahlaj Nihalani?
Pahlaj Nihalani produced Chunky Panday's debut film 'Aag Hi Aag' in 1987, launching his acting career. The two collaborated again on the 1993 drama 'Ankhen', co-starring Govinda.
Who attended Pahlaj Nihalani's last rites?
The funeral at Santa Cruz crematorium in Mumbai was attended by Farhan Akhtar, Shatrughan Sinha, Varun Dhawan, Govind Namdev, Kunal Kapoor, producers Ramesh Taurani and Boney Kapoor, actress Neelam Kothari, and other industry figures.
What did Govinda say about Pahlaj Nihalani?
Govinda called Nihalani 'the foundation of his existence' as a film artist, saying the producer lifted him and others from poverty and helped them achieve fame. He offered prayers for Nihalani's soul and bowed to his memory and the Sindhi community.
