Chunky Panday, known for his impeccable comic timing, recently embraced a new challenge in his career by playing a Parsi character for the first time in his latest film Vijay 69. Reflecting on his approach to the role, Chunky revealed that he initially aimed to play the character in an exaggerated, over-the-top manner, with the goal of earning an Oscar-worthy performance. “I wanted to go completely caricaturish,” he admits, recalling his dedication to mastering the Parsi dialect with the help of a coach. However, his co-star Anupam Kher, who plays a pivotal role in the film, guided him to take a more grounded approach. “He just held my hand and said let’s play it real,” Chunky shared, underscoring the importance of authenticity in the portrayal.
In Vijay 69, Chunky plays a crucial role as Anupam’s sounding board, acting as both his biggest supporter and harshest critic. When asked about times in his own life when he had doubts, Chunky pointed to his mother as a major source of support. “I was telling myself I couldn’t do it, but it was my mother who pushed me to do it,” he recalled, expressing deep gratitude for her encouragement. Chunky credits her with not only supporting his journey into acting but also giving him the mental strength to pursue his dreams in the industry. “If I am an actor today, my mother has a very big hand in that,” he said, emphasizing how crucial her belief in him was to his success.
The film also allowed Chunky to reunite with Anupam Kher after a long time, and he couldn’t help but praise their real-life friendship. “We’ve known each other for so long, and just like in the film, we are 4AM friends,” Chunky shared, referring to the idea of a friendship where they can count on each other no matter the hour. Their bond extends beyond the screen, with Chunky appreciating Anupam’s honesty in their friendship. “What friendship is really about is being honest to each other,” he explained, adding that Anupam has always given him valuable advice, even offering constructive criticism about his personality that Chunky has worked on.
Chunky also praised Anupam’s dedication to the physical transformation required for the film. Having grown up watching physical comedy legends like Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy, Chunky was particularly impressed with Anupam’s commitment to real physical work for the film. “He learnt how to swim, cycle, and run. He actually became an athlete,” Chunky noted, marveling at his co-star’s transformation. He wrapped up by acknowledging how inspiring it was to witness Anupam’s dedication to the craft.
Overall, Vijay 69 not only marked a new chapter for Chunky Panday but also gave him the opportunity to reconnect with an old friend and colleague while exploring new dimensions in his acting career.
