Mumbai, July 12: He was born on the same date as Dev Anand, so Chunky Panday hopes he too will remain as evergreen as the veteran actor. “At least I hope I get to act with young heroines like him!” he laughs. Well, we don’t know about that, but Chunky sure seems to be having a busy 2009, what with a string of movies lined up for release. “It started with Paying Guests, Shortkut… The Con is On and Sankat City, then there is Daddy Cool, Khalballi, Priyadarshan’s De Dhana Dhan and after that, I start shooting for Sajid Khan’s Housefull,” he says, adding gleefully, “This looks like my year!”
The actor is quite excited at the prospect of playing a double role in Sankat City, as it’s the first time Chunky will be seen playing two characters in the same film.
“I play an actor called Sikandar Khan and a Hyderabadi character called Sheshaiyya. The interesting thing is, they never meet but their paths keep crossing,” he says. But for now, Chunky thinks he’s had his fill of comedy. “I enjoy doing comedy but I think as a person, you need to raise the bench for yourself,” he says. So what is it he would like to do?
“I would love to do a romantic film because my wife feels I’m the most unromantic guy on earth!” he laughs and adds, “Another role I would want to do is a negative one as I feel I have a lot of dark energy. Now all I need is a director who would put his faith in me for such kind of roles.”
After spending two decades in the industry, Chunky feels his potential is yet to be realised. “I’ve done Hindi films, I’ve done television and I’ve also done Bangla cinema, but I’ve just given ten percent of what my potential is. Ninety percent is yet to be utilised,” he says.
So you have to give the devil his due? “This devil is yet to be paid!” he laughs and then on a philosophical note says, “The woods are lovely dark and deep but I have promises to keep. And miles to go before I sleep…”
—Agencies