They say you can take a man out of Bihar but you can't take Bihar out of the man. Pankaj Tripathi loves making Bihari food. When he's not busy acting, which is increasingly rare these days, given his work load, you'd find him in the kitchen making Litti Chokha and other Bihari delicacies. He promises to feed me some scrumptious dishes if I ever drop by his place. He's a method actor who has assimilated himself seamlessly into both art and mart cinema. Roles are being written for him and he was even the lead in the sleeper hit OMG 2. Mirzapur Season 3 too is being appreciated. He's on a high alright and deservedly so. On a zoom call, we chat about his career and more. Excerpts:
WHEN YOU MOVED FROM BIHAR, DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU THAT THERE ARE SUCH BIG STARS HERE, SO WHY WOULD SOMEONE BUY A TICKET TO SEE YOUR FILM?
(Laughs) When I moved from Bihar to Mumbai, I never once thought about the big stars here or whether people would buy tickets to see my films. Looking back now, maybe I should have. I remember the moment vividly when I was on the RORO Ferry from Mandwa, coming from Alibaug. It was a large boat and I stood on the rooftop deck watching the Mumbai skyline in the distance. I turned to my wife and wondered aloud why we had come to such a huge city.
Despite my initial doubts, we managed to establish ourselves here, which is truly wonderful. Sometimes I don't quite grasp it all, but then I believe it's a result of divine blessings. Countless aspiring actors arrive in Mumbai every day. Yet, I also believe that everyone’s circumstances are partly shaped by their own actions.
IN A FILMFARE INTERVIEW, SHARMILA TAGORE MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE HER FAVOURITE ACTOR AND SHE LOVES YOUR FILM MANGO TREES…
This story is from the August 2024 edition of Filmfare.
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This story is from the August 2024 edition of Filmfare.
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A Man Apart
Pankaj Tripathi Has Led A Life Less Ordinary. He Shares Some Home Truths With Tanisha Bhattacharya
SMALL is BIG!
RASIKA DUGAL CONFIDES IN TANISHA BHATTACHARYA THAT SHE HAS NEVER LET THE LENGTH OF HER ROLES DEFINE HER
MARATHON WOMAN
SAIYAMI KHER, WHO LOVES TO RUN AND ACT IN EQUAL MEASURE, TELLS SUMAN SHARMA SHE'S THERE FOR THE WHOLE HOG
Long way home!
TAHIRA KASHYAP TELLS SUMAN SHARMA THAT SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN COUNTING THE MILESTONES AS HER JOURNEY IS A DESTINATION IN ITSELF
"Life's full of surprises"
...SAYS DIVYA DUTTA. SUMAN SHARMA JOTS DOWN THE ACTOR'S MUSINGS
Truly: madly, gladly
SAIEE MANJREKAR CONFIDES TO SUMAN SHARMA THAT SHE'S IN LOVE WITH CINEMA
Unbreakable!
SONALI BENDRE IS THE OG DIVA WHO HAS LET NOTHING COME IN HER WAY INTO LEADING A FULFILLING LIFE
Act you like it
NAWAZUDDIN SIDDIQUI HAS THE CHAMELEON-LIKE KNACK OF TURNING INTO HIS CHARACTER WITH EVERY OUTING. JITESH PILLAAI SOUNDS HIM OUT ON THE METHOD BEHIND HIS TRUE-TO-LIFE PERFORMANCES
Through the looking glass
SANJEEDA SHEIKH INFORMS SUMAN SHARMA THAT SHE DOESN'T BELIEVE IN REGRETS, AS SHE REFLECTS ON HER LIFE AND CAREER
Hey goodlookin whatcha got cookin
RAVEENA TANDON HAS ALWAYS LIVED LIFE HER OWN WAY. SHE REAFFIRMS HER MAXIMS AND BUSTS SOME MYTHS IN A CHAT WITH JITESH PILLAAI