"In Fool N Final I talk with a lisp, something on the lines of Pooja Bhatt" - Chunky Pandey 
By Joginder Tuteja, May 15, 2007 - 08:53 IST
There was a time when all an actor was interested in playing was either a leading man or a main villain. With newer ideas being shared in the kind of films that are being made today, it is no less exciting for many to be playing an interesting 'character'.
Chunky Pandey is one of them who has discovered this fact and the result is films like D, Apna Sapna Money Money and I See You, each of which has seen him gaining appreciation for his work. And now he promises to carry on this good work with the soon-to-be-released Fool N Final.
Fool N Final - an exciting title for a film. So what is this about?
It is about this diamond that has just been robbed by me. This diamond is bigger than even 'Kohinoor' and I play this man called Rocky who has a fetish for guns and gambling. The entire story revolves around this diamond but there are many mad bunch of characters that make Fool N Final and enthralling ride. That's anyways the least you can expect when a film has actors like Paresh Rawal and Johnny Lever (laughs)!
But how about you?
Besides the fact that I am the culprit behind stealing of this diamond, I also have a certain mannerism and the way I look that adds on to the spice. I talk with a lisp, something on the lines of Pooja Bhatt (smiles), while my hair is all gelled with golden teeth to add that give me a particular look. My character is required to move in and out of the narrative though I am there throughout.
You have been around for around for two decades now while Shahid, your co-star in FNF is quite young. Does that make you remember the times when you had just started off?
Yes, it does remind me of those days and also makes me realize that once our film was a success, we used to be working in like 10 films a year. We were slogging ourselves while believing all of it to be fun. But look at someone like Shahid or any other talented newcomer. These boys are so mature about what they want.
Shahid and other newcomers are so mature about what they want
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Mature in what sense?
They are much surer about the commercial aspects of a film. They have grown up fast and are much better planned. They are selective about their work and pick up limited but good projects.
After Apna Sapna Money Money and Fool N Final, are comedies the kind of films with which you plan to associate yourself most with?
Neither I am averse to such films nor am I restricting myself to be playing only such roles. There have been lots of offers for comedy films but it is on me to decide where and how do I see myself fitting in. In fact, I am not even shying away from approaching big film makers myself with whom I wish to be working in near future.
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I am not shying away from approaching big filmmakers myself with whom I wish to be working in near future.
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Like?
Like Abbas-Mustan. I like the kind of cinema they make. Priyadarshan is another film maker I look forward to working with. With David Dhawan I am in talks and we could be working together again soon. There is something on the cards with Anubhav Sinha too and right now the things are in negotiation stage. So you can see that I am looking forward to some rocking times ahead. Meanwhile there is always a 'Rocky' [my film show on TV] to keep me busy [laughs]!
Have you ever thought of doing a film which is not really mainstream but is of the kind that would make filmmakers stand up and take you even more seriously?
Yes, I have. In fact, it is required for me to do this since it is all about gaining eyeballs and be noticed. A film like Ishaan does come into that category. I star alongside Shreyas Talpade in this film which is directed by Anthony D'souza.
What's the film's plot?
I play a father to this boy who has a brain of a 10 year old but has physically grown up too fast. Shreyas is the one who plays this boy. I am required to be his father, mother, brother - just about everyone since my wife is no more.
Doesn't your on-screen wife appear in the film at all?
She does but an actress for that is still to be finalized. Anyways, to match someone like me, I am sure she would have to be someone beautiful [laughs]!
Playing a father is something that you do for the first time in your career. Right?
I have played a father just once before which was in Ghar Ki Chiraag but there too the child belonged to my wife Neelam and Rajesh Khanna. Thank goodness, this time around the child is of my own [laughs]!
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