Fans are currently loving the dynamic of the Panesar family in EastEnders and as Vinny continues to build a friendship with Dotty Cotton, viewers are excited to see where that leads.
Shiv Jalota, who plays Vinny, joined Metro.co.uk over the phone for an exclusive chat and he was full of praise for Milly Zero as he has enjoyed developing the dynamic.
He enthused: ‘It’s an interesting one. When we heard we’d be partnering up, we looked at what we wanted to bring out. We had the common sense that both characters are grieving in different ways – Vinny’s mum lied about cancer and Dotty knows about Ian and what happened to Dennis.
‘It’s a lovely spark between us and the characters really just connect. Dotty really opened up to Vinny but he is also drawn to her feistiness. Neither have had a solid father figure and both are independent and it’s about survival. They recognise a lot of each other. They want to be the top they can be and Milly does a really incredible job of showing Dotty’s vulnerability. And Vinny draws off the feisty side and some of that really comes out at this party – led by Dotty.’
Describing what happens at the ill fated party, the actor went on, explaining: ‘Vinny wanted to have this party to make money quickly through his DJ skills – he has this opportunity and he wants to prove himself and show what he can do. The party is all right to start with but he gets into a riff-raff with an old mate of his when he starts vocally abusing Iqra and Ash about their relationship.
‘Vinny switches – he has this ability to go off like a firework, someone just needs to set that fuse. He ends up insulting old mate of his – and he shows so much anger, it’s such a switch to his affable and sweet nature. Inside, he is very angry and this party is a perfect example – it’s all fun, music, everyone is around – and then he just suddenly lets loose!’
Is that something that he would like to explore more of with this character – is there more to Vinny than meets the eye?
He speculated: ‘I think the way that might be explored will be to do with his family relationship. His mum lying about cancer and Kheerat being the pack leader of the brothers – Vinny holds some resentment.
‘It will be interesting to see how Vinny develops and changes in the family dynamic – where you saw him last year compared to where you will see him; he could change as he turns from a boy from a man. Also there’s a dad out there – that would be interesting to see if that’s explored, we’ll see!
‘It’s exciting because the pay-off is going to be amazing, we have seen the cheekiness and I wanted the audience to love him. You get them on side and stab them in the back; Vinny’s a bit like that!’
One member of the family who is definitely getting the attention of viewers is the very calculating Suki – who we described as more of a Queen Wasp than a Queen Bee.
Shiv laughed: ‘You’re absolutely spot on – I always refer to mum as the queen. There is something about her that she has formed the Panesars and everyone the way they are. As relationships go, all of the siblings are insecures and Suki was all about bringing the unit closer together.
‘But after they all sort to normalise, she lied about having a life threatening illness and it really shows what she can be like – she will do anything to get what she wants. There’s a trait of that quality in all of them – but especially in Vinny.
‘He now resents his mum, despite being a golden boy. Balvinder is incredible, she is so multi layered – she is so sweet on the outside but Suki will stab anyone in the back to get her way. Watch out for that one!’
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Thankfully, everyone gets on much better in real life – and Shiv credits the favourable response from fans to the bond he has been able to forge with his fellow Panesars.
He smiled: ‘It’s been a beautiful response – a lot of people from different ethnic backgrounds, especially Sikhs – they’re so proud of the family and the energy they bring and how broad they are. We’re there as a feisty family – we’re not fitting into types, so it’s been really positive.
‘It’s so lovely – they are genuinely my second family. It’s a joy to see their faces and it helps so much with performance because you can just be you. Me and the brothers have a lot of banter. Mum has bants but keeps us in line and Gurlaine is so caring.
‘It’s like a big family unit – we support each other and it’s really been a big change of lifestyle. We’re really there for each other and check in on each other. And we’re enjoying finding our way through the characters’ relationships.’
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