'Goli Toh Chalegi': Umpire Anil Chaudhary stuns fans as a viral Gangster in his acting debut

Anil Chaudhary, known for his esteemed reputation as one of India's top umpires in the international cricket scene, is making headlines for a surprising new career move. Instead of his usual role on the cricket field, Anil has taken center stage in a Haryanvi music video.

Released a couple of days ago, the album is gaining momentum with netizens going wild over his new avatar. In the music video, billed as the gangster anthem, Anil portrays a swagger-filled character, confidently puffing on a cigar. Directed by Suman Guha and produced by Naresh Jha under Epic Films, the video features vocals by singer Diamond.

The star-studded cast for the video includes Rohit Kharb, Chandani Raut, and Hemesh Dixit, all appearing alongside the umpire-turned-actor.

Speaking on his acting debut, Anil said, "Mujhe camera se dar nahi laga kyunki main Haryanvi mein commentary karta rehta hoon. Main producer Naresh Jha ka bhi shukriya ada karta hoon. Shoot karke bahut maza aaya. Umpiring aur acting dono ka apna alag hi maza hai.”

The track has been met with an incredible response, officially crossing the one-million-view mark. Sharing the news of this success on Instagram, the team wrote, “1 MILLION VIEWS in less than 24 hours 🔥 Thank you for the massive love and support! GOLI TOH CHALEGI is now trending – watch the full video on our YouTube channel. Umpire Anil Chaudhary’s most powerful avatar is here.” (sic)

Born in 1965, Anil Chaudhary has spent over a decade at the top of the game. He officially announced his retirement from umpiring in March 2025. In his career, he has officiated 12 Tests, 49 ODIs, 64 T20 Internationals and an impressive 131 matches at the Indian Premier League (IPL). Now, he is fully immersed in the cricket commentary, keeping his connection to the sport alive.