Pankaj Tripathi to be honoured with the prestigious ‘Diversity in Cinema’ award at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. By Team Viva
The quintessential aam aadmi and voice of the masses, Pankaj Tripathi has given life to iconic characters on screen that will forever remain etched in the audience's mind. Known for his versatile and effortless performances across various platforms, he has carved a niche for himself in the entertainment industry. He is at the forefront of the new wave of content-driven cinema in India, which is realistic, differentiated, compelling and powerful. The Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM) has always celebrated diversity through cinema, and it comes as no surprise that, this year, they have honoured Tripathi with the ‘Diversity in Cinema’ award. This award is for artistes who have left an indelible mark in the industry through their roles, across different formats, portraying incredible versatility with their varied performances.
Tripathi is the king of keeping characters real and modest and it is this quality that makes him a performer extraordinaire. He has been nominated for the Best Performance (Male) in the film category for Ludo and the Best Performance (Male) in web series category for Mirzapur S2. His short film Laali has also made it to the festival this year.
Acknowledging the award, Tripathi says, “I intend to perform to the best of my capabilities, and I am so grateful that my performances are appreciated by the audience. I am truly honoured and equally humbled to receive this award and it makes me very happy that such a prestigious film festival has recognised my work.”
The festival’s director Mitu Bhowmick Lange adds, “We at IFFM are elated to present one of our highest awards to the prolific actor, Tripathi. With his acting prowess and unsurpassed talent, he makes every character riveting. IFFM has always stood for diversity through cinema and Pankaj Tripathi is an embodiment of the same. He plays diverse roles with finesse, making him perfect for this award.”
The ‘Diversity in Cinema’ award will be presented by the eminent director, Anurag Kashyap. He had directed one of the most important films of Tripathi’s career — Gangs of Wasseypur — which put him on the map and changed the course of his cinematic journey. Kashyap will be presenting the award in the presence of the Governor of Victoria, who will be the host of the evening.