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Chunky Panday has long been celebrated for his impeccable comic timing and memorable light-hearted roles, but in 2017, he stunned audiences by stepping far out of his comfort zone. In Begum Jaan, the Hindi adaptation of Srijit Mukherji’s acclaimed Bengali film Rajkahini, Panday underwent a drastic transformation to play Kabir — a cold-blooded assassin.

Tasked with forcing a group of sex workers out of a brothel caught between the Radcliffe Line, he appeared almost unrecognisable with sunken eyes, stained teeth, and a chilling composure that shattered his usual screen persona.

Chunky Panday on the Harsh Reality of Sex Workers

In an interview with Rediff back in 2017, Chunky Panday spoke candidly about Begum Jaan and how it depicted the harsh truths faced by women in what he called the world’s oldest profession. He said it was unfortunate that sex work continued to be stigmatised and argued that it deserved recognition for the role it has historically played in society.

He said, “It’s very unfortunate that the profession is looked down upon. They are doing a favour to the nation, it should be legalised. Imagine the sexual frustration in the country if it didn’t exist!"

Chunky also shed light on the deeper message of the film: “The film is not about women empowerment, it’s about powerful women who are in the oldest profession in the world: Prostitution."

Chunky Pandey Returns To Comedy With Housefull 5

The actor recently returned to the big screen with the much-talked-about release of his latest ‘killer-comedy’ Housefull 5, which hit theatres on June 6. Produced by Sajid Nadiadwala, the film was among this year’s most anticipated movies and featured Chunky reprising his beloved character Aakhri Pasta — a role he has portrayed in every instalment of the franchise.

Amid the buzz around the fifth film, Chunky reflected on his journey with the Housefull series and fondly revisited memories from earlier shoots.

Chunky Panday’s Film Career

Apart from Housefull 5, Chunky Panday was also recently seen in Netflix’s series The Royals, starring Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, and Zeenat Aman. Over the decades, Chunky has carved a unique space for himself in Hindi cinema, seamlessly shifting between comic and intense roles since his rise to fame in the late 1980s and early ’90s with hits like Tezaab, Aankhen, and Vishwatma.