Former international cricket umpire Anil Chaudhary has surprised fans with an unexpected career move, appearing as a gangster in a newly released music video.
Known for his calm presence on the cricket field for more than a decade, Anil now appears in a dramatically different avatar, sporting a dark jacket and sunglasses, riding a horse and leading a gang in the video for the Haryanvi song ‘Goli To Chalegi’. The project is directed by filmmaker Suman Guha and produced by Naresh Jha under the banner of Epic Films.
Anil retired from international umpiring on 27 September 2025, following the India-Australia ODI match. Just six months later, he stepped into the entertainment industry, making his on-screen debut with the music video. The former umpire was also present at the recent launch event for the song.
Reflecting on his first experience in front of the camera, the 60-year-old said acting felt less pressurising than officiating an international match. “If you make a mistake in front of the camera, you can correct it or fix it in editing. In umpiring, there is no such opportunity,” he noted, adding that acting requires emotion, whereas umpiring demands strict neutrality.
Anil said his previous experience providing Haryanvi commentary helped him feel comfortable on camera. He also expressed gratitude to director Suman Guha and producer Naresh Jha for the opportunity.
During his umpiring career between 2013 and 2025, Anil officiated in 12 Tests, 49 ODIs and 64 T20 Internationals, along with 131 Indian Premier League matches, matching the record of fellow umpire Sundaram Ravi. Domestically, he also stood in 91 first-class matches, 114 List A games and 278 T20 fixtures.
In 2022, the BCCI placed him in its elite A+ category of umpires, a list that included only 10 officials at the time.
