I’d love to play an emotional character: Chunky Panday

Chunky Panday is more popular for his comic performances in Bollywood than any other roles. It’s perhaps why the actor admits he can “never get tired of doing it again and again”. Even in his recent release, Jawaani Jaaneman, starring Saif Ali Khan, he tickles some funny bones.

“My character was that of a playboy, the owner of the biggest nightclub in London. He’s 50 but considers himself to be 25, something I find very relatable in real life as well. He wears tight clothes and dyes his hair black and I know a few people do the same,” Chunky laughs.

Though doing comic roles in back-to-back films can get monotonous, Chunky finds it “more challenging and fun” to outdo himself with each performance. While the 57year-old admits that playing similar roles over the years has typecast him, he isn’t too perturbed. “I take it as a compliment. It’s good to be stereotyped as it shows you’re good at something. So, I don’t mind it. Somewhere, I’ve created a forte for myself,” maintains the actor, who was also seen in last year’s Housefull 4.

In a career spanning over three decades, Chunky also experimented with complex characters whether in Begum Jaan (2017), Saaho or Prassthanam (both 2019). “Be it playing Akhri Pasta in the Housefull films, or gangster Devaraj in Saaho, the audience accepted me. That, for me, is the most satisfying thing,” Chunky says, adding, “I’ve never played an emotional character yet and would love to do a role which would make the audience laugh and cry as well. I hope someone casts me in something like this.”

This year also marks his debut in Marathi cinema with a film called Vikun Taak where he plays an Arab. “Even Arabs will be shocked to see me in this avatar

(laughs). It’s a funny take on all the problems rural India goes through,” he shares.

I’d love to do a role which would make the audience laugh and cry as well. I hope someone casts me in something like this.

CHUNKY PANDAY

ACTOR