A donkey named after Bollywood actor Chunky Panday has become the talk of the annual animal fair in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, after fetching a price of Rs 72,000. The animal was reportedly the costliest to be sold at the event, outperforming other donkeys that were given the names of popular stars, including Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Mithun Chakraborty.
Traders at the fair frequently employ the tactic of naming animals after celebrities to attract potential buyers and generate interest in their stock. The 64-year-old actor, who has been working in the Hindi film industry for over four decades, reacted to the news with lighthearted surprise when approached for comment.
“This is such an honor that people did this,” the actor told reporters, adding that he had received several messages from friends sharing the news clipping. “My friends have been sending the news clipping to me, and any news is good news!”
Reflecting on the quirk of being associated with such branding, the actor noted that this has occurred for nearly 30 years. He pointed out that similar naming trends are often observed in small businesses, such as barbershops that use star names to market hairstyles, or food establishments that name menu items after him, citing a “Chunky Paneer Panday” burger as an example.
Key facts
- The donkey named after Chunky Panday sold for Rs 72,000 at the Chitrakoot fair.
- Other donkeys at the event were named after Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Mithun Chakraborty.
- Chunky Panday, who is 64 years old, made his acting debut in the 1987 film 'Aag Hi Aag'.
- The actor was most recently seen in the film 'Baby Do Die Do'.
Background
Chunky Panday has maintained a long career in Hindi cinema spanning more than 40 years, with his most recent screen appearance occurring earlier this year.
Source: Times of India
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