In an amusing twist that has delighted Bollywood fans and rural livestock traders alike, veteran actor Chunky Panday has unexpectedly outpaced cinema legends Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Mithun Chakraborty—not at the multiplex box office, but at the historic annual donkey fair (Gadha Mela) in Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh. During the lively post-Diwali livestock auction held along the banks of the Mandakini River earlier this week, a striking black donkey named "Chunky Panday" drew intense bidding among buyers, ultimately fetching a record price of ₹72,000. The sale made it the single most expensive animal at the 2026 edition of the fair, easily surpassing rival donkeys named after Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Mithun Chakraborty, each of which sold for under ₹50,000.

Known across the Hindi film industry for his effortless self-deprecating humor and sporting spirit, the 64-year-old actor responded to the unusual headline with characteristic warmth and wit. Rather than taking offense at having a pack animal named after him, Chunky Panday described the gesture as a mark of genuine public affection and enduring pop-culture relevance.

‘Any News Is Good News’: Chunky Panday’s Hilarious Reaction to the Auction

Speaking with HT City following viral news reports of the Chitrakoot auction, Chunky Panday revealed that his phone had been buzzing with newspaper clippings and messages forwarded by amused friends. Laughing heartily at the development, the actor stated, "This is such an honour that people did this. My friends have been sending the news clipping to me, and any news is good news!"

Explaining why such tributes feel familiar to him, Panday noted that grassroots businesses across small-town India have long used Bollywood stars to attract customers. "I have been seeing this happen for 30 years now," the actor chuckled. "In fact, it is done in barber shops as well, where stars and their hairstyles are advertised on posters. There's even a burger named 'Chunky Paneer Panday' at a burger joint." His lighthearted response quickly won over social media users across Mumbai, New Delhi, Lucknow, and Bhopal, who praised the actor for turning an eccentric rural headline into a charming moment of connection with his fans.

Inside Chitrakoot’s Centuries-Old Donkey Fair on the Banks of the Mandakini

While celebrity monikers bring humor and media attention to the auction ring, the Chitrakoot donkey fair is a deeply rooted cultural and commercial institution stretching back centuries. Held annually immediately following Diwali on the banks of the sacred Mandakini River along the Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh border in Satna district, the fair attracts hundreds of livestock traders, farmers, and buyers from across Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, and Punjab.

According to local historical accounts and Sub-Divisional Magistrate (Majhgawan) Mahipal Singh Gurjar, the tradition of organizing this specialized animal market after Diwali dates back to the era of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, when pack animals were vital for transporting military supplies and trade goods across rugged terrain. In contemporary times, traders continue the custom of naming their finest donkeys and mules after prominent film stars—and occasionally notorious public figures—as a clever marketing tactic to draw crowds around their stalls. At last year's fair, a donkey named after Shah Rukh Khan claimed the top spot, making Chunky Panday's ₹72,000 record this season a memorable upset.

Why ‘Chunky Panday’ Commanded the Highest Bid: Build, Stamina, and Breed

Despite the playful Bollywood branding, seasoned traders and municipal officials emphasize that buyers at the Chitrakoot fair make purchasing decisions strictly based on practical utility rather than star power. Chief Municipal Officer of Chitrakoot Nagar Parishad, Ankit Soni, noted that around 350 donkeys and mules were brought to the market this year, with roughly 80 animals changing hands during the trading days.

Local traders explained that the black donkey named Chunky Panday commanded ₹72,000 because of its exceptional physical build, strong bone structure, glossy coat, and proven load-bearing stamina. In rural regions and hilly construction zones where motorized vehicles struggle to navigate narrow paths, healthy, well-built donkeys remain indispensable working partners for small-scale transport and masonry work, explaining why buyers willingly pay premium prices for top-tier animals.

Four Decades in Bollywood: Chunky Panday’s Upcoming Movie Lineup

Chunky Panday’s sporting reaction reflects the easygoing charm that has sustained his nearly four-decade-long career in Indian cinema since his debut in the 1987 action drama Aag Hi Aag. After delivering memorable hits in the late 1980s and 1990s such as Tezaab and Aankhen, Panday successfully reinvented himself in the 2000s as one of Bollywood’s most beloved comic actors—most notably through his cult character Aakhri Pasta in the Housefull franchise.

Looking ahead on the professional front, the actor maintains a busy slate of theatrical and streaming releases. Following recent appearances in Baby Do Die Do, Hai Jawani To Ishq Hona Hai, and Rahu Ketu, Panday is set to feature in filmmaker Sajid Khan’s upcoming horror-comedy Hero Ki Heroine, which marks the much-anticipated acting debut of Govinda’s son, Yashvardhan Ahuja. Whether commanding laughter on the silver screen or inspiring top bids at a centuries-old fair in Chitrakoot, Chunky Panday continues to prove that his appeal spans every corner of the country.