From a humble beginning to becoming a celebrated icon, Pankaj Tripathi's journey in the realm of acting is a testament to resilience and artistic excellence. Gyaneshwar Dayal talked to him about his life, roles, and acting. Photos by Pankaj kumar
From a modest start to becoming a revered figure, Pankaj Tripathi's journey in the acting realm is a testament to resilience and artistic excellence. Pankaj Tripathi emerged from humble beginnings to establish himself as a powerhouse performer and a celebrated icon in the world of acting. With a natural ability to effortlessly transition into diverse roles, Tripathi has carved out a niche for himself, seamlessly moving between intense dramas and light-hearted comedies. He weaves tales of authenticity and brilliance with each role he undertakes.
A method actor, Pankaj honed his acting skills at the National School of Drama in New Delhi, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to his art. The portrayal of the endearing Sultan Qureshi in the critically acclaimed “Gangs of Wasseypur” (2012) marked a watershed moment in his career. The film not only showcased his acting prowess but also opened the floodgates to a myriad of opportunities. His ability to breathe life into characters, no matter how complex or nuanced, has earned him accolades and widespread acclaim. Performances in movies such as "Newton" (2017), where he played the cynical Aatma Singh, and "Stree" (2018), as the endearing Rudra, highlight his chameleon-like ability to embody diverse personalities. The actor's rise to fame continued with his notable portrayal of the affable Kaleen Bhaiya in the web series "Mirzapur" (2018). His humility and grounded demeanor off-screen stand in stark contrast to the intensity he brings to his on-screen characters, further endearing him to audiences. Pankaj Tripathi's journey is not just a tale of cinematic triumph; it is a saga of resilience, talent, and the unwavering pursuit of artistic excellence. He was in Delhi for his upcoming film "Main Atal Hoon," where The Pioneer caught up with him to get a glimpse into his world.
Thank you for joining us. Could you tell us about your upcoming film?
Thank you for having me. It is about Atal ji. I have tried to portray him as a poet, politician, and a statesman.
Making a film on politicians is a risky task as it can quickly run into controversy. What was the source of your script material, and how did you research?
Well, I got a well-researched script, and that was my source. I watched a lot of videos to prepare for the role. How it was researched and written, my producer can tell better, but as far as I know, it is based on a book on Atalji. It is a biographical film directed by Ravi Jadhav and written by Rishi Virmanu.
Do you follow politics since you have done a biopic on India’s one of the tallest leaders?
(Laughs) You open the newspaper, and politics is all over it, break into a conversation, and it gets political. Even if you don’t follow politics, it follows you. But as far as I am concerned, I am more focused on my work and related issues.
How do you approach a role? Do you research the role or start living it as some actors do to get into the skin of the character?
Well, research is the most important aspect. Know the character as much as you can; then only one can get the grasp of the personality. For this role, for instance, I watched Atalji’s videos, how he talked, walked, and spoke. He is a larger-than-life person for sure. He was a poet, statesman, and a politician, and it is so difficult to do justice to his persona. I have tried to do that.
I take the liberty of calling you a big paradox. You are so suave and gentle with a smiling face, yet the characters you have played are dreaded gangsters, murderers. Why do you think people cast you in such roles?
(Laughs) This is now that people see me. Had they seen my gentleness earlier, I would have got all the ‘good guy’ roles. But on a serious note, it is not the face but your acting ability to do justice to the role you are given. I try to do as much variety as possible. That is a challenge and interests me as an actor.
Going back to your performance, they are so authentic that you don’t seem to act. What methods do you employ to get under the skin of the character?
I would say it is the script that matters the most. I read the script thoroughly and try to understand how the role has been portrayed there. For instance, in this film (“Main Atal Huin”), the emphasis is on his internal personality rather than his physical aspect, so I had to capture his moods, pensiveness, etc. He was a larger-than-life character and so very difficult to portray.
From gangster films like “Gangs of Wasseypur” to the heartwarming “Stree,” you’ve showcased your versatility. How do you choose your roles, and what draws you to a particular script?
Well, first of all, I look for characters that are challenging and have depth. It’s essential for me to find something unique and different in each role. The script and the director’s vision are crucial elements. If I can connect with the story and if the character offers me the opportunity to explore new dimensions as an actor, then I’m inclined to take up the project.
Your performances often have a certain authenticity and naturalness. How do you prepare for your roles, especially when you’re taking on diverse characters?
Preparation is a crucial part of my process. I spend a lot of time understanding the character’s background, motivations, and the world they inhabit. I observe people around me, draw inspiration from real-life situations, and even conduct my research. It’s important to be authentic and truthful to the character, no matter how different they are from me personally.
Do you agree that bad cinema can influence society in a negative way?
It is a symbiotic relationship; both influence each other in a way, but how much I can’t say, I don’t know. There are good things shown and bad things shown on the screen. How much people keep it is difficult to say. A person who has to rob a bank will do so regardless if he has seen a bank robbery movie.
How do you see the shift in the industry, and what opportunities do you think digital platforms provide for actors?
The digital platform has revolutionized the entertainment industry. It offers a different kind of storytelling, more freedom for experimentation, and a vast audience. As an actor, it’s exciting to be a part of this change. Digital platforms allow us to explore unconventional stories and characters that might not have found a place in mainstream cinema. It’s a dynamic space with immense potential for creativity.
But the Government seems to be heading towards controlling OTT platforms. It is alleged that there are a lot of explicit scenes, violence, and abusive language in web series. What is your take on it?
When you are telling a story, sometimes all that you mentioned is required to portray a character and make the story come alive on screen. However, if it is unnecessarily used just to make it saleable, it should be discarded. It is discarded by the audience. Best is we should remain committed to good cinema and exercise restraint.
How do you exercise that restraint?
I, for one, would never do a thing that goes beyond the script. If the script demands it, then it is fine; otherwise, not. I say no to roles that I feel are vulgar or are crossing the line. I am very concerned about the quality of script and what it has to offer to me as an actor and the audience.
What roles would you be doing next?
I believe in staying open to all kinds of roles. I don’t want to limit myself to a specific genre or type of character. Every role brings its own challenges and joys, and I look forward to exploring a wide spectrum of characters. As an actor, it’s important to keep evolving and surprising both yourself and the audience.