Actor Navin Chowdhry, portraying Nish Panesar on EastEnders, voices concerns over character’s impact on real-life perception
EastEnders actor Navin Chowdhry, known for his role as the villainous Nish Panesar, has expressed apprehension about the impact of his character portrayal on his personal life. Chowdhry, who plays the manipulative and sinister Nish on the popular BBC soap, worries that viewers may conflate him with his on-screen persona, leading to potential backlash in real life.
In a recent interview, Chowdhry revealed his concerns, stating that he has raised issues with the show’s producers about the direction of his character. “There have been moments when we’ve had scenes and I’ll speak to the producer and I’ll say, ‘I’m going to have to go on the school run and you’re making me beat up every woman on Albert Square’. I’ve been scared,” he admitted.
Embed from Getty ImagesNish Panesar, introduced to EastEnders in September 2022, quickly became one of the show’s most despised villains. His manipulative tactics and violent tendencies have earned him a reputation as a character viewers love to hate. However, Chowdhry acknowledges the risks associated with playing such a character and worries about being perceived negatively off-screen.
Despite his concerns, Chowdhry also expressed his enjoyment of portraying the villainous role, noting that the darker aspects of his character have led to some of the most memorable moments on set. “I enjoy being evil. And we have a good time on set. They often say the best fun you have is when you’re doing the darkest stuff. Sometimes when you go really dark, the flip side is you have a very fun experience on set,” he shared.
As Nish’s storyline continues to unfold on EastEnders, viewers can expect to see tensions rise between the character and other residents of Albert Square. With Nish’s manipulative schemes and volatile behaviour causing chaos, the stakes are high for those who cross his path. However, Chowdhry hopes that viewers will distinguish between his portrayal of Nish on-screen and his real-life persona
