Actor Pankaj Tripathi’s filmography, especially over the years, is unlike anything we have seen before. The actor has showcased his range from intense roles in films and on the digital space to comedic roles (and everything in between). So it is pertinent that the actor was recently honored with the Diversity in Cinema Award by the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. The actor was presented the award by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap for his ‘unique contribution’ to Indian cinema.
In a free-wheeling chat with News18, the actor spoke about the award, as well as his journey as one of the most sought after actors of our generation. He also talked about his process, and picked some rare characters he liked more than others.
Talking about the Diversity in Cinema Award, Tripathi said, “I feel very happy. I am grateful and grateful that I have been honored with the Diversity Award at the Melbourne Film Festival and have received the love of critics and audiences. I will continue to work hard and this award will motivate me to do better.”
Apart from the award, he was also nominated for Best Performance (Male) for Ludo and Mirzapur. “I play my roles with a lot of hard work and honesty. When my work reaches out to people and they appreciate it, and love me as an actor, it is a very humbling experience. I feel that with the kind of films and roles that are coming my way, I am heading in the right direction. Hope I have a good journey going forward.”
The actor also spoke about his professional relationship with Anurag Kashyap, who directed him in Gangs of Wasseypur, which is often considered Tripathi’s break-out performance. He said, ‘I first met Kashyap during Gangs of Wasseypur. He has even talked that I didn’t know me before working in his film. But he is a very courageous and brave director, and trusts his actors a lot. He also trusted me a lot. During the event I said that Anurag rediscovered me with Gangs of Wasseypur. I was in small roles in some films, but my talent was almost lost. So Kashyap is the man who rediscovered my talent.
“After Gangs of Wasseypur, people started asking who I was, and what I had done before. But I was here (in Bollywood) a lot. I have been here since 2004 and Gangs of Wasseypur came in 2012, so I was here for eight years. But I was lost in some minor roles. Actually, after Gangs of Wasseypur, I did some projects in which I was lost again. But this is life, what will you do? Whatever happens happens for good.”
The actor has often spoken of struggling to find work for eight years. So what kept him going despite the difficulties? “Because I knew one day a better time would come for me. I’m kidding, I didn’t know that [laughs]. I never felt that I was going through difficulties during these hardships. I kept working honestly and I kept working on my craft. Whether I get roles or not, I will continue to hone my craft. I was constantly thinking of ways to improve my work. My wife was there to support me. Our expenses were less so our life went on well. But I was always dedicated to my craft. So the time when I didn’t have any work was my preparation time,” he said.
Tripathi’s many roles are relatable, and represent the common man. Even when he is playing the role of a gangster, the audience still finds him worthy of having his side. He said, ‘I always try to make my characters interesting. In my life, I have tried not to fall into the rat race or the trap of opportunity, career or position. I have tried to retain my innocence, perhaps that is how I was made. So I put a little bit of my innocence in all my characters. And then I try to make them attractive, so that people can relate to them, but they’re also fun to watch.”
He further added, “I also think that no one is black and white in life and everyone is fair. I find the good in even the worst of people. I think there is no villain in this world. So even in my characters, I try to find the good in them. For example in Ludo, my character Don is a gangster, but he beats up a doctor who misbehaves with nurses. He kills people, but then He also silently stands up for the nurses. It always inspires me that there is good in every character. Or at least there is hope for good in every character.”
He also picked his favorite characters from his diverse range of critically acclaimed roles. “I think I like Atma Singh in Newton and Kehri Singh in Gurgaon and my character (Naveed Ahmed Ansari) in the series called Powder. All my characters are my favourites, but I had more fun playing them because they were more intense roles. I also enjoy doing comedy roles a lot, I also enjoyed being Kaleen Bhaiya (from Mirzapur). It’s really hard to pick a favorite from my own work.”
While the actor is open to everything, there is one kind of role that he never wants to do, no matter who the director is. “I do not want to play a role where cruelty to children and women is involved. It would be very difficult for me to do a sequence where there is violence against them.”
While the actor is busy with several projects, he is very excited for a particular film. “I am excited for 83. It is a very different role. I am looking forward to see how the audiences approach it.”
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