Development
Casting and introduction
After being mentioned multiple times on the soap as the Panesar patriarch, Chowdhry's casting as Nish was announced on 28 August 2022, and it was confirmed that he had already begun filming at the time. He arrives in Walford following 20 years in prison for murder. [1] [2] Before their time on EastEnders, Nish mentally abused and controlled Suki throughout their marriage. [3] Nish arrives determined to repair his family relationships, including his marriage to Suki. [4] Nish was described as a charming and charismatic character, but they confirmed that viewers would quickly notice that he is "ice-cold, manipulative and driven by a need for power and respect". [1] [2]
On his casting, Chowdhry said that since he had never worked on a soap before EastEnders, the experience was all new for him. However, he loved the storylines given to him upon his debut. He particularly vented interest in his onscreen family and liked that "there's so much happening at all times" in the Panesar unit. [1] He found Nish to be an interesting and unconventional character, which he said would bring drama and mayhem". He opined that under his bad persona, there is a good man, but confirmed that Nish would cause "turmoil" for the Panesars. [1] He also said "I'm excited to join in and set off a few more explosions and fireworks". [4] Executive producer Chris Clenshaw echoed Chowdhry's excitement the character since Nish had been referenced numerous times prior to his arrival on the series. Clenshaw continued: "The spectre of Nish Panesar is finally here, and it's been a pleasure welcoming Navin to the cast, and take to the role so effortlessly. He brings something to the character that none of us could've predicted – his dynamic on and off-screen, and we're excited to see where his character develops as the story grows." [1]
When talking about his character, Chowdhry said "Nish is an interesting character – slightly unconventional, and with that brings drama, and mayhem. I think there's a good man under there, but turmoil follows these guys [the Panesars] around so I'm excited to join in and set off a few more explosions and fireworks". [1] [2] He also enjoys playing a more villainous character, saying "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". [5] His introduction was labelled a "big storm" by Radio Times , who also said that "he's a dangerous character to be on the wrong side of". [2] Chowdhry's mother ran a charity for victims of domestic abuse, "I’m now playing a character that my mum spent her life’s work saving people from. You need to create characters like Nish to show how hateful and destructive this behavour is". [6] [7]
Affair discovery
Chris Clenshaw announced that when Nish discovers Suki's affair with Eve Unwin (Heather Peace), "all hell will break loose" and that Nish will be vengeful. [8] He was also announced to fly into a rage after discovering the affair. [9] About the discovery, Chris Clenshaw said "Nish will find out about her and Eve, but I'm not going to give anything else away as I know everyone's desperate to find out how Nish is going to react". [10] Chowdhry said the affair was like the ultimate betrayal for Nish, saying "It’s a betrayal because it's humiliating and degrading, for someone as obsessed with control as him, to think that something's going on behind his back – especially when it involves someone like his wife" and that "the idea that his wife was able to hide that from him when he thought he was absolutely in control of her, her feelings and her actions – it's the biggest blow. It harks back to the reason why he went to prison in the first place – he went there for killing a man in a jealous, love-blind rage – and now he has evidence that it's happened again". [11] He added that Nish's anger would be "off the scale" and that it would be the angriest viewers had ever seen Nish as it reflected why Nish first went to prison. [11]
Sopal described Suki's marriage to Nish as having "no love" as the relationship "died a long time ago when she saw him for who he really was". [12] She described Nish's love as "toxic" as it "comes with conditions, control and [is] driven by his needs, wants and passions". [12]
Involvement with The Six
Following a flash-forward sequence in February 2023, showing a seemingly dead body on the floor of The Queen Victoria at Christmas, Nish was one of the most suspected characters for the body. The storyline became known as "The Six", referring to the six female characters who were suspected to be the murderer. [13] "The Seven" was a list of seven male potential victims, with Nish's inclusion being announced on 7 December 2023. [14] Nish's inclusion was justified due to his abusive behaviour towards Suki, attempting to get Suki's lover, Eve, killed, having a connection with each female character suspected to the be killer, and having spent much of the year being a local menace. [14] [15] Navin Chowdhry was aware that many people wanted Nish to die at Christmas, saying "It’s well documented how many people want Nish dead". [6] He added that Nish's violent temper could be the catalyst for being the murder victim, saying that "Nish is so paranoid, so jealous and possessive that the idea of Suki being with anyone else is beyond him" and that it is "humiliating and degrading for him" to be cheated on. [6]
Watched by 3.58 million people, [16] "The Six" storyline unfolded on Christmas Day 2023, where it is revealed that Nish was the body on the floor after being struck across the head with a champagne bottle by Denise Fox (Diane Parish), however he did not die and was simply unconscious, with the actual death being Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters). [17] [18] Being hit by the bottle resulted in Nish being knocked unconscious and being hospitalised.
Relationship with Kat Mitchell
While Nish recovered from his amnesia, he begin a relationship with Kat Mitchell (Jessie Wallace), who was on the rebound after discovering her husband Phil (Steve McFadden) had cheated on her with Emma Harding (Patsy Kensit). Commenting on the romantic twist involving him and Kat, Chowdhry admitted it was a surprise for both him and Jessie Wallace, saying "It was a surprise, but again it's something that will goes places". [19] He also teased that "there is something quite big coming up" for the couple. [19] Chowdhry called for more scenes between Nish and Phil. He said that "Nish isn't bothered about anybody, and he certainly isn't bothered about Phil. I think he relishes in the antagonism and it’s a challenge for Nish which he feels totally ready for, but whether he is or not is something else. He doesn't fear Phil at all but there is an argument to suggest that he should" and that he believed a feud between the characters would be popular among audiences. [7] Discussing the relationship with Kat, Chowdhry said that "I think initially with Nish and Kat, there was a genuine attraction of two people in similar situations. There was a common ground over which they bonded genuinely. But Nish, being the manipulative opportunist that he is, saw a wonderful prize at the end of it [Phil's money and businesses]. I think there was an affection at first that then transformed into an opportunity for him". [20]
Navin said that, as Nish recovered, he would become laser-focused on finding out what happened on Christmas Day. He said "I think his mission in life at this stage is to find out exactly what happened". [21] He explained that this was due to not only his desire to "seek retribution and revenge for what happened to him, but also it’s the lack of control and the power others have over him with them knowing something that he doesn’t, which aggravates him" and that he is bruised both emotionally and egotistically. [21] Adding that he feels the only way Nish is able to take his breakup is to harm Suki, teasing that Nish would be playing a "long game" for his revenge. [21] After Kat breaks up with Nish, he calls the police on her cousin Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner) as revenge, a move which Chowdhry called a "desperate backup plan". [20]
Storylines
Upon Nish's release from prison, his wife Suki (Balvinder Sopal) returns from Mumbai she comes face to face with Nish and he manipulates her into giving their marriage another shot. However, Suki and Eve Unwin (Heather Peace) have an affair and plot against Nish with the ultimate goal of getting him out of Walford once and for all, so that they can live happily together. However, an argument breaks out between Nish and Suki when he accuses her of cheating on him with Mitch Baker (Roger Griffiths), saying that he may murder again if Suki is cheating. Nish continues to argue with Suki and persistently threatens her, making Suki want to get rid of Nish more and more. One night, Suki and Eve arrive back home from a business trip however Nish becomes suspicious of them and the unknown affair. After an argument with Billy Mitchell (Perry Fenwick) gets Billy arrested, his wife Honey (Emma Barton) and cousin Phil Mitchell (Steve McFadden) plead with Nish to drop the charges against Billy so that he can be there for his granddaughter Lola Pearce-Brown (Danielle Harold), who is dying from a brain tumour. Nish refuses to drop the charges, resulting in Honey throwing a drink at him. Eventually, after some persuasion and blackmail from Suki, Nish is convinced to drop the charges resulting in Billy being let out.
Nish's son Vinny (Shiv Jalota) tells Suki about an illegal job Nish is involved in, which causes her to call the police on Nish to get him arrested. Nish accuses Vinny of calling the police on him, which causes him to attack Vinny but Suki confesses that it was her. Suki furiously admits that she does not love Nish and that she never has, Nish is distraught to hear this and Suki stands up to him and expresses her true feelings. Nish immediately questions Suki if she is seeing someone else and Suki does not answer, causing Nish to get angry, Nish claims Suki is his and that she always will be his no matter what. Later that night, Vinny enters the home to find Suki unconscious at the bottom of the stairs with Nish standing above her looking aggravated. Suki is rushed to hospital and Vinny accompanies her. Due to local gossip, Nish is arrested for ABH. After some time, Nish is released and returns home to his family. Suki then ends things with Eve.
When Kathy (Gillian Taylforth) and Tom "Rocky" Cotton (Brian Conley) move into one of Nish's flats, Rocky approaches Nish for a loan and Nish gives him a loan but makes it clear he has to pay it back on time. When the time comes for Rocky to pay Nish his first instalment Nish warns him not to keep him waiting or he will tell Kathy about Rocky's debts. Nish then has many more encounters with Rocky and threatens him persistently, doubling his interest rate on the loan. In an attempt to solve his issues, Rocky sets fire to Kathy's café for an insurance scam to pay off the money, causing it to explode and seriously injure Kathy's grandsons, Peter (Thomas Law) and Bobby Beale (Clay Milner Russell). Nish later approaches Rocky when he is alone and says that out of good will, the debt is cancelled however Nish reveals that he secretly knows Rocky burnt down the café for insurance money, Nish then blackmails Rocky and states that he must convince Kathy to sell the café plot of land to him or else everybody finds out the truth.
Nish catches Suki and Eve kissing on CCTV and, horrified to learn about the affair, he rages and trashes the Minute Mart. When he gets home, Nish texts Eve on Suki's phone, telling her to meet in Walford East. Upon arrival, Nish waits for Eve in the kitchen and Eve speaks to Nish, Nish then states that he knows about the affair. Teasing him, Eve begins to tell Nish all of the details about the affair, causing Nish to threaten her. Eve does not care about his threats and picks up her bag, ready to walk off and leave with Suki. Nish stops her but Eve dismisses him and goes to leave the restaurant until Nish angrily follows her and viciously strikes Eve in the face with a champagne bottle, sending her unconscious. Nish then drags Eve into the kitchen as his son Ravi Gulati (Aaron Thiara) arrives. Ravi is shocked to see Eve lying there until Nish reveals the full truth. Nish orders Ravi to kill Eve, which Ravi refuses to do. Ravi eventually agrees to kill Eve after Nish guilt-trips him. They drag her the boot of a car and Ravi then drives her to a private location. Eve wakes up and the two fight and it eventually leads up to Ravi sparing Eve’s life but the result is she must leave Walford forever and act as dead. Eve agrees and runs away into the unknown. Upon Ravi’s return to the square, he informs Nish that Eve is dead and Nish is relieved and thanks Ravi for doing so. Nish and Ravi later arrested for the 'murder' of Eve but are released when it is discpvered that Eve is alive.
On Christmas Day 2023, Nish is violent during dinner to Ravi and Suki for helping hide Eve. Suki leaves the house and later calls Nish to talk in private in The Queen Victoria public house. At The Queen Vic, Suki is accompanied by Kathy, Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner), Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean), Denise Fox (Diane Parish) and Linda Carter (Kellie Bright), who refuse to leave Suki unprotected. Nish pleads with Suki to give him another chance and that he will make her happy, with Suki replying that she cannot bare to look at him. Suddenly, Nish grabs Suki and attempts to drag her away but the women defend her, with Denise striking Nish over the head with a champagne bottle, which knocks Nish unconscious. The next morning, Nish is taken into the hospital and placed into an induced coma. After a few weeks, Nish wakes and is visited by Suki. They have a conversation about the events of Christmas, Nish admits that he cannot remember anything that happened that night, so Suki tells him a fabricated story about Keanu Taylor (Danny Walters), who the women later murdered and hid the body of, attacking him and running away.
After Kat Mitchell (Jessie Wallace) is cheated on by her husband Phil, she starts a relationship with Nish. Nish's memory slowly starts to come back and he begins to remember what happened at Christmas. He confronts Denise, Suki and Linda over what happened that night. Nish then threatens to go to the police and tell them everything unless Suki signs all the businesses over to him. After some panicking and conversations, Suki decides to allow Nish to take everything but leave her something small, like the café. The next week, Nish is determined to find the truth and invites Suki over for dinner, after being served divorce papers, Nish rips them up. Still determined, he continues to intensely interrogate the women who were there that night. At first, Suki fights for her empire but later gives in and lets Nish have it all, serving him with the papers. Nish reopens Bridge Street Café as "Nish's" but is stunned to see there is a leak which has soaked the floor, he then postpones the reopening. Bernadette Taylor (Clair Norris), desperate to get her job back, calls a plumber and the floor is fixed. To her expectations, Bernadette gets her job back.
Kat and Nish end their relationship and Nish then kicks Kat and her children out of their flat. After deciding to give things another try, Nish hires dodgy lawyer, Roger Peel (Ben Jones), to try and "help" Kat deal with her divorce and share of the businesses. Roger tells Kat that the only way for her to keep her businesses is to transfer it into someone else's name for the time being. After some thinking, Kat speaks to Suki and quickly realises that it is a setup for Nish to get her businesses. Kat and Suki then blackmail Roger, before Kat and Nish chat and Nish reveals his true intentions for using Kat. Kat manages to escape after Nish becomes violent as Suki and Eve come to her rescue. Stacey then threatens to send Nish down. Nish, enraged, calls DC Whisson (Daniel Moore) and falsely reports Stacey as his attacker at Christmas, but Nish withdraws the accusation. When Suki tries to civilly settle things with Nish, things get heated and he tries strangling her. That evening, Suki casually sits at the table with the family until Nish walks in, ordering her to leave. Nish is told by everyone that Suki has been granted his businesses and when Nish attacks Vinny, Nish is kicked out of the house.
