Chunky Panday Recalls Attending a Funeral for Extra Income During Early Career

Bollywood actor Chunky Panday, known for his iconic roles in films like Tezaab and Housefull, recently shared an unusual anecdote from his early acting career. Appearing on The Great Indian Kapil Show, Chunky revealed how he relied on events to earn extra income and once unknowingly attended a funeral.

“When I was starting off as an actor, we had only one source of extra income and that was attending events,” he told host Kapil Sharma. “I used to have a bag ready, whoever would call me I would take my bag and run — be it wedding, birthday or even Mundan ceremony.”

- Chunky Pandey

Recalling the incident, he said, “One morning, I got a call from an organiser. He asked, ‘What are you doing today?’ I told him, ‘I am just leaving for a shooting.’ He asked me where it is and I told him it’s in Film City. He then said, ‘Bhai, raaste mein ek chota sa event hai, 10 minute ke liye, aana, paise ache hai.’ I said sure. He then asked me, ‘If you’re coming, wear white clothes and come.’”

Without giving it much thought, the actor complied. “I didn’t think much, wore white clothes and landed at the venue," Chunky recounted.

What followed was an unexpected revelation. “I reached and saw there were several people standing outside wearing white clothes. I slowly walked in and people were staring at me. They were whispering between themselves that Chunky Panday has come and I was wondering what is happening. I saw the dead body and I realised I was at a funeral.”

Initially confused, Chunky thought the organiser might have passed away. “I saw the organiser in the corner and called for him. He said, ‘Sir, don’t worry, your packet (of money) is with me. But the family said that if you would cry, they will give you more money.’ This really happened," he added.

Chunky Panday debuted in the 1987 multi-starrer Aag Hi Aag and went on to establish himself in films like Aankhen and Tirchhi Topiwale. His candid confession offers a glimpse into the struggles of aspiring actors in Bollywood during the 1980s.