Chunky Pandey is now the latest who has jumped on the bandwagon of celebrity judges. Along with Malaika Arora Khan, he would be judging celebrity contestants for the reality dance show Zara Nachke Dikha which has kick started on Star One this week.
"However, while Malaika has been roped in as the sexiest judge on television, I play the role of a judge who always has sex on the mind", quips Chunky Pandey while describing the show which is being touted as the 'war of the sexes'.
Why 'war of the sexes'? Because Zara Nachke Dikha has a format which would witness television actresses competing against the actors! While the girls team comprises of Delnaz Paul, Mouni Roy, Maninee Day, Rupali Ganguly, Karishma Tanna, Jennifer Winget and Sweeni Khare, the all-boys gang includes Ali Asghar, Amit Tandon, Bakhtiyar Irani, Manish Goel, Chaitanya Chowdhury, Vikas Sethi Gaurav Chippra and Amey Pandya.
"It is sheer fun to be sitting out there and being witness to such fabulous performances. Also, thankfully it would be a happy outing overall since till the very last episode, there won't be any elimination. I always like to have fun on and off the screen and thankfully the show's format allows me to be my witty self", says Chunky who is thoroughly enjoying a new phase of his career where he would be seeing more than half a dozen films of his releasing over next few months.
However, coming back to the show, what really attracted him to get into the garb of a judge?
"Let's be realistic here; things have changed since I made my big screen debut close to two decades ago". At that time television was just a medium for entertainment with two or three programs calling for attention. Today, it is a huge arena out there. You have to be on TV if you are looking at enhanced visibility. I don't see any harm there at all. And lest one forgets, I was one of the pioneers of appearing on TV years back when stars shied away from doing so."
When exactly? "Remember Superhit Muqabla when you were a kid and wanted to watch something different from those routine Chitrahaar," askes Chunky. "This was the time when the Doordarshan Metro channel was launched and I was roped in as a host for Superhit Muqabla. While Baba Sehgal kick started the show, I too hosted close to 20 episodes out of the 100 odd ones that had gone on air."
So how is he finding his stint as a judge? "Zara Nachke Dikha is an interesting concept with Adam fighting against Eve. And the one who is having maximum fun is me. I have hosted TV shows in the past but being on the judge's chair gives you a different high altogether. And mind you, Malaika sitting next to you is always an added bonus", adds Chunky.
On the movie front too, Chunky has a lot to look forward to. His upcoming releases are Daddy Cool, Sankat City, Paying Guest, Khalbali Hai Khalbali and Hello Darling.
