Chetna Pande on Haunted 3D success: 'Meaningful roles over screen time'
Synopsis
Chetna Pande isn’t riding the Haunted 3D wave passively — she’s using it as a filter. The actress says she’s drawn to characters that challenge her across every dimension, and that screen time and glamour rank below story and impact in her decision-making. For a genre that rarely produces this kind of introspection, it’s a notable statement.
Key Takeaways
Chetna Pande reflected on her career approach following the success of Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past , in which she plays Sunheri .
She stated that meaningful roles and compelling stories matter more to her than screen time or glamour.
Pande expressed a desire to work across genres — including drama, thriller, biopic, and commercial entertainers — rather than staying within horror.
She described the post-release period as one of gratitude over celebration , crediting her family, team, and directors Vikram Sir and Anand Sir .
The actress said she views the film’s success as a responsibility to make better choices, not a reason for complacency.
Actress Chetna Pande, fresh off the success of Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past, has spoken candidly about the philosophy driving her career choices — prioritising emotionally resonant characters and compelling narratives over visibility or glamour. The actress, who plays Sunheri in the film, shared her reflections on 23 June in Mumbai.
On Genre and Artistic Ambition
Pande said she does not want to confine herself to a single genre, even as the horror film's success has deepened her appreciation for the format. “At this stage of my career, I don’t want to limit myself to any one genre. Of course, I would love to continue doing horror because this film has shown me how powerful and emotionally demanding the genre can be. But as an actor, my biggest dream is to constantly surprise myself and my audience,” she said.
She elaborated that the challenge of a role — across any genre — is what draws her in. “I want to play characters that challenge me emotionally, physically and mentally. Whether it’s a strong commercial entertainer, an intense drama, a thriller, a biopic or even a completely unconventional role, what excites me is a character that leaves an impact,” she added.
Roles Over Recognition
In a statement that reflects a considered approach to longevity in the industry, Pande drew a clear distinction between what the industry often rewards and what she personally values. “More than screen time, I’m interested in meaningful roles. More than glamour, I’m interested in stories. I want every project to push me beyond what I’ve already done because that’s the only way I believe an actor truly grows,” she said.
This comes amid a broader conversation in Hindi cinema about the trade-off between commercial visibility and artistic depth — a tension that many mid-career actors navigate with varying degrees of success.
Processing the Success of Haunted 3D
Pande acknowledged that the scale of the film’s reception has taken time to sink in. “Honestly, I’m still processing everything. When you spend so much time working on a film, facing uncertainties and hoping audiences will accept it, you don’t immediately realise what’s happening when the success finally arrives,” she said.
She described the past few days as being “filled with gratitude more than celebration,” crediting her family, friends, and collaborators — including director Vikram Sir and producer Anand Sir — for their support through the journey.
What She Takes Forward
Rather than treating the film’s performance as a milestone to rest on, Pande framed it as a prompt for greater accountability. “I don’t want to become complacent or get carried away by the numbers. I want this success to motivate me to work harder and make better choices going forward,” she said.
She signed off with a note of gratitude directed at the audience and her team: “Thankful to the audience, thankful to Vikram Sir, Anand Sir, my entire team and everyone who believed in me and in Sunheri. This is only the beginning, and I’m excited for everything that’s still ahead.”
Point of View
Impact over screen time — is a value statement that cuts against the visibility-first logic that governs much of mainstream Hindi cinema. What is worth watching is whether her next project bears that out: actors who articulate this philosophy and then take it seriously are rarer than those who merely state it. The horror genre, which she credits with revealing the emotional demands of the craft, remains underexplored as a vehicle for serious performance in India — and her continued engagement with it, if it happens, could be genuinely interesting.
NationPress
23 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Chetna Pande and what is Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past?
Chetna Pande is an actress who plays the lead character Sunheri in Haunted 3D: Echoes Of The Past, a Hindi horror film that has recently received a positive audience response. She has spoken about how the film deepened her appreciation for the emotional demands of the horror genre.
What kind of roles does Chetna Pande want to pursue next?
Pande has said she wants to work across genres — including drama, thriller, biopic, and commercial entertainers — rather than restricting herself to horror. She has emphasised that she is drawn to characters that challenge her emotionally, physically, and mentally.
How has Chetna Pande responded to the success of Haunted 3D?
She described the post-release period as being filled with gratitude rather than celebration, saying she is still processing the film’s reception. She credited her family, friends, directors Vikram Sir and Anand Sir, and the audience for the outcome.
What does Chetna Pande prioritise when choosing film projects?
Pande has stated that meaningful roles and compelling stories rank above screen time and glamour in her decision-making. She believes an actor grows only by consistently taking on projects that push beyond what they have already done.
