Chunky Pandey. |
But the talented actor is more than satisfied with his second innings in Bollywood.In a freewheeling chat with LT, Chunky talks about his upcoming films, his stint as a judge on a reality show and much more...
And things are hunky-dory for Chunky these days. The chirpy actor has a been doing a host of movies this year. "Right now I'm busy shooting for many films that include Anubhav Sinha's Sankat City, where I'm playing a double role. Then there is Daddy Cool, Shortcut, Hello Darling, Paying Guest and khalbali Re Khalbali. Also, I'm doing a Hollywood film Mumbai Calling where I play an interesting character of Chunky lafanga," he informs. Well that's quite a list Chunky!
And will he be seen doing comedy in these films? "Well fortunately or unfortunately, after the success of Apna Sapna Money Money, where I played a Nepali character, I've been getting a lot of offers for comic role," he says with a smile. But Chunky doesn't just want to restrict himself to comedy. "I want to do hard core negative roles because I feel the great Indian villain like Mogambo in Mr India is missing from films these days," he says.
Chunky is among those few celebs who, despite having busy film schedule,is judging a reality dance show called Zara Nachke Dikha. "I'm powerful than a Supreme Court judge sitting on the judge's chair of this reality show," says Chunky tongue firmly in cheek, adding, "And I think I'm judging well too. I watch all the performances like the normal audiences do. Agar mujhe performance achcha lagta hai toh main seeti baja deta hoon aur nahi achcha lagata hai toh boo kar deta hoon."
Some of Chunky's recent performances in films like D, Qayamat: The City Under Threat, Elaan were critically acclaimed. So, what according to him went wrong at the start of his career? "Well, wrong selection of films perhaps, was one major reason. But after my stint in Bangladesh as an actor, where I became an overnight superstar, I think I reinvented myself. And that's perhaps what is reflecting in my performance now," he avers.
But the actor is no hurry to play lead roles again. "I have rejected so many films where I was asked to play the lead because those roles didn't excite me. And I don't like over-exposure as well," says Chunky.
Chunky was also associated with a Johnny Depp's flick Shantaram. "Well, unfortunately that film has gone in the cold storage. But in that process I was gifted a ring by Johnny Depp's astrologer. And I guess that is proving lucky for me as I am getting loads of film offers after wearing it," he smiles.
Luck is definitely on your side, Chunky!