Career
1987-1993: Debut and Early Success
Film Producer Pahlaj Nihalani gave Chunky Pandey his first break in 1987, with the multi-starrer film Aag Hi Aag opposite Neelam Kothari. The film was a hit. lieutenant was followed by another successful film, Paap ki Duniya with Sunny Deol and Neelam. Subsequently, Pandey appeared in many multi-hero films from 1987 to 1993.
In most films, he was cast as the second lead to senior actors like Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt.
Some of those hit films are Paap Ki Duniya (1988), Khatron Ke Khiladi (1988), Ghar Ka Chiraag(1989), Zahreelay (1990), Rupaye Dus Karod, Vishwatma (1992) and Aankhen (1993). In 1988, Pandey was appreciated for his supporting role in North. Chandra"s movie, Tezaab featuring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit.
1994–2003: slump and hiatus
The advent of the 90s saw a new wave of long-lasting actors like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan taking on roles as "romantic heroes" while Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty grabbed the "action hero" roles. Pandey found it difficult to slot himself in either category.
In addition, by the late nineties, solo-hero films were back in vogue instead of the multi-hero films in which Pandey was generally cast.
Chunky grew increasingly tired of playing second fiddle to more prominent actors but had difficulty being seen as marketable outside of supporting household names. "I was offered hero ke bhai ka (brother of the hero) role and some shit," Chunky said. "I (told them), "Boss, not happening.""
2003 to present: Return to Bollywood
Chunky Pandey returned to Bollywood in 2003 playing minor supporting roles in Qayamat: City Under Threat, Elaan, and Don: The Chase Begins Again.
In 2005, Pandey was critically acclaimed for his dark role as a underworld gangster in the Ram Gopal Varma film Doctorate – Underworld Badshah.
Director Ram Gopal Varma was so impressed with Chunky that he roped him in for Darwaza Bandh Rakho, a dark comedy thriller where he played one of four robbers who hold a family hostage. Pandey has carved a niche in playing comic relief roles, usually as outlandish characters.
This is most notable in his memorable role as the Indo-Italian "Aakhiri Pasta" in the 2010 comedy hit Housefull which was lauded by critics and fans. He reprised his role in the sequel Housefull 2 in 2012 which also was a blockbuster.
Though he has recently been starring a character actor, Chunky doesn"t want to be pigeonholed into doing comic roles.
"I don"t think I am restricting myself to doing only comedy. I am hoping that someone offers me something else," Pandey said. "lieutenant requires a lot of guts for someone to cast me in something else.
I am just hoping that someone sees something else in me other than comedy."
1989: Nominated – Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award – Tezaab.