With its treasure trove of acting talent, the Indian film industry continues to evolve, setting benchmarks and inspiring cinephiles worldwide. From the legendary performances of actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Neena Gupta, to the newer generation of talents such as Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, and Ayushmann Khurrana, the industry continues to be a breeding ground for versatile and skilled performers. One of whom is the iconic kalakaar Pankaj Tripathi.
Known for his versatile acting prowess, Pankaj Tripathi seamlessly transitions between diverse roles, bringing an authentic and captivating essence to each character he portrays. His performances are marked by their depth, nuance, and an uncanny ability to connect with the audience. His on-screen presence is magnetic, and his commitment to embodying characters with authenticity has earned him widespread acclaim.
Pankaj ‘ATAL’ Tripathi
That’s how the audience feels about Pankaj Tripathi’s newest release, “Main ATAL Hoon“. A biopic on India’s 10th prime minister, late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the film is a sincere homage to Atal’s illustrious journey and rise as a politician. The film depended on Pankaj sir to portray the legendary leader on the big screen, he was the sole choice for the character. Pankaj ji‘s pitch-perfect performance brings Atal’s legacy to life on the big screen with such conviction and confidence.
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The Reddit ‘AMA’
Released in theatres yesterday, people have been showering praises on his performance. As a sweet surprise to his fans, Pankaj sir decided to conduct an ‘Ask Me Anything (AMA)’ session on the popular social media platform Reddit. Fans asked several professional and personal questions to the veteran actor who answered them in his classic honest manner.
He addressed the subreddit thread saying, “Hello, I am Pankaj Tripathi, an Indian actor who has worked in movies like Stree, Bareilly Ki Barfi, OMG 2 & others. Aur ab, aa chuki hai Main ATAL Hoon, jo Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee ji ki jeevan kahaani se inspired hai. Ye hai aapka chance to ask me anything about my journey. Toh aaiye, let’s chat”
The QnA
Pankaj Sir Wasn’t Sure About Mimi
A fan of his wished to know if there was a script he didn’t like before but changed his mind about later. Pankaj Tripathi’s answer was one we did not see coming at all! He said “Yes, that film was Mimi. And I got a National Award for the same film. Ab lagta hai ki chhod deta toh malaal hota.” And we agree.
On His First Acting Experience
When a Reddit user asked, “When and what was your first ever experience of the art of acting? And how did you feel?”, the actor replied, “During my childhood, mere gaon ke Chhat festival mein ek play hua tha jahan I played a female character. Kaafi nervous tha main.” He also mentioned that playing the role of the opposite gender would be the one out of his comfort zone.
His Growth
Another asked, “What is your process of script selection? and are you still required to audition for certain roles?” The OMG 2 actor said, “No auditions, only look-tests. Aur jo content/script dil ko accha lag jaye.”
The Stree 2 Mystery
As Stree 2 unfolds behind the scenes, fans have been eagerly anticipating the horrors and humour the sequel is bound to bring. When a user asked about updates for ‘Stree 2’, Pankaj Tripathi shared a gif of himself that said “Risk Hai”. He further wrote, “Balak, kyun darna chahte ho?” The filming of Stree 2, featuring Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Aparshakti Khurana, and Abhishek Banerjee alongside Pankaj sir, is currently in progress in Chanderi, Madhya Pradesh.
The Role Of Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Pankaj sir was asked what made this role special for him, to which he said, “Bahot special hai kyun ki, it’s not a fictional character. Ek real aur legendary personality ko recreate karna tha. Atal Ji mere bhi favourite politician aur poet the.” We can’t imagine anyone else playing Atal ji either. He is made for this role.
Another user had a very interesting question for him. “If Atal Bihari Vajpayee was alive today, what aspect of your performance would you love to hear his thoughts on?” The actor would
Working With King Khan
In the Ask Me Anything (AMA) session, a curious fan asked Pankaj ji about his experience collaborating with Shah Rukh Khan in the 2015 film Dilwale. Responding with admiration, the actor shared, “Bahut hi shandaar. He’s a superb co-star,” much to the delight of Redditors.
The Simple Joys In Life
He also divulged how he would like to dance with his ‘Mimi‘, Kriti Sanon in a movie and work with Madhuri Dixit again. When asked about his secret to being this simple, down-to-earth and unaffected by the glitz and glamour, he had a very inspiring reply.
Describing His Journey
“Sir, we’ve seen you do so many diverse roles in so many movies. Hats off to you because you’re a great actor as well a great person. My question to you is if you had to describe your acting career and your whole journey in just a sentence, what would it be?”, asked a fan. The ‘Gangs of Wasseypur‘ actor responded by saying, “It’s like a river journey. Nadi ki yatra.“
His Take On PR
A Reddit user brought up the whole PR culture in the industry. “…many celebs are onto this culture of hiring PR teams to stay relevant in the media…is it right? I mean actors do have PR teams nd I guess aapke paas bhi hogi hi…lekin itna heavy involvement of PR and Papz…just for staying relevant on internet…is a bit weird” Pankaj sir responded in his classic style, “PR aapko charchit bana sakta hai, yaadgaar aap apne kaam se bante hoon.”
His Future Plans
When asked about his future projects, the ‘Main ATAL Hoon‘ actor said “3-4 mahine ki chutti lene wala hoon. Kisi ko batana mat. Actually, I am planning to do theatre.” He also doesn’t plan on doing any Hollywood movies anytime soon, he is satisfied with his work as of now. People couldn’t tell if he was being serious or just joking about his break but either way, we look forward to seeing him on the screen next.
Pankaj Tripathi’s acting prowess not only elevates the narratives of the films and series he engages in but also solidifies his reputation as one of the most talented and sought-after actors in the Indian entertainment landscape. And his humble nature plus his way of interacting with his fans adds to his charm. Have you watched ‘Main ATAL Hoon‘ yet?
