Pankaj Tripathi dismissed Pankaj Jha’s claims about him.
Pankaj Tripathi reacted to Pankaj Jha’s claims about him that he has glamorised his struggles.
Actor Pankaj Tripathi has responded to comments made by fellow actor Pankaj Jha, who suggested that Tripathi had “glamorised” his struggles in the industry. Tripathi, who gained widespread recognition from his role in Anurag Kashyap’s 2012 film Gangs of Wasseypur, asserted that he has never sought to “romanticize” his challenges within the cinematic world. The exchange arose after Pankaj Jha, celebrated for his role as Vidhayak ji in the series Panchayat, remarked in an interview with The Lallantop that individuals pursuing their passion should relish their journey rather than lament the hurdles they encounter.
Pankaj Jha recently shared his perspective on how struggles in the entertainment industry are often glamorized. He remarked, “As we’ve seen often in the industry, people like to glamourise their struggles. Some people say they sold potatoes, others say they lived in a tiny house, some say they stole another actor’s slippers. I feel every situation is a learning experience,” Jha’s comment references a memorable anecdote shared on The Kapil Sharma Show, where Manoj Bajpayee recounted how Pankaj Tripathi once took one of his slippers as a memento while working at a hotel where Bajpayee was staying as a guest.
In a recent interview with India Today, Pankaj Tripathi responded to comments made by Pankaj Jha, clarifying, “I never romanticised my journey or struggles. Yes, I did mention that my wife used to earn while I looked for work. I never said that I would tie a gamcha (towel) on my waist and sleep outside Andheri station. I had a good and happy life when we moved to Mumbai. I have never tried to glamorise or seek sympathy from it.”
Tripathi emphasized that everyone has their own battles to fight and that sharing personal stories can have the potential to inspire others. He added, “And even if they don’t, that’s not an issue. One has just to live their own lives the way they want.”
Pankaj Tripathi recently shared that legendary actors like Om Puri and Manoj Bajpayee have significantly influenced his career. “I have definitely taken inspiration from them. Similarly, some may be motivated by my journey or someone else’s. We are all on our journey and if someone may connect with some part of it, not necessarily in terms of acting and art but in any way,” he explained.
When asked about whether Pankaj Jha’s comments had affected him, Tripathi remained unfazed. “Not at all. I am not someone to get hurt. All this noise doesn’t affect me at all,” he stated
underscoring his resilience and focus on his own path.
Pankaj Jha recently revealed that filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, known for impactful films such as Black Friday and Gulaal, had initially approached him for the role of Sultan Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur. However, the role ultimately went to Pankaj Tripathi, who garnered immense acclaim for his performance. This intriguing backstory adds another layer to the dynamic between the two actors and highlights the unpredictable nature of casting decisions in the film industry.
