PANKAJ TRIPATHI as the new-age face of Indian cinema strongly believes in the power of destiny and it reflects in his love for Nagarjun’s poetry that states “Jo nahi ho sake puran kaam, unko karta hoon main pranam”. His work in projects like Newton, Gangs of Wasseypur, Mirzapur, Sacred Games, and latest box-office hit Stree, has made him a popular name among Hindi cinema audience for his perfect comic timing, dialogue delivery and on-screen improvisation. Interestingly, for the 44-year-old actor, who has served theatre, television and cinema for the last 14 years there is nothing called ‘Perfect timing’ and ‘Perfect acting’.
You have been a part of entertainment industry for the past 14 years. How has the industry evolved with time?
Earlier, cinema was like a magic show where you could see people on big screen living a larger than life lifestyle. Today, people need substance and content in cinema, it is no more just a source of entertainment. Also, in past, an actor like me was never considered a magazine cover material, but today I am a part of this cover shoot of the magazine and I think that’s the best way to portray the shift in cinema, where every single character is being noticed and celebrated. And I think this change has been a result of the penetration of the internet in suburban corners of the country.
In the last couple of years, web series have changed the wave of the entertainment industry. Comment.
It was four years back when I came on social media and I never understood its meaning and power until Mirzapur came into light. It was the project that made me understand the value of online media, where there is nothing called Friday opening and weekend collection. Such content targets the working class who consume content as per their comfort and availability. The reaction rate on Twitter for Mirzapur worked like an eye-opener for me and I guess I am naive to understand its intricacy.
When did you realize that you are a ‘star’ and what was your first reaction?To be frank, to date, I don’t think I am a Bollywood star, so there was never any scope for reaction. I have been a part of the industry for the last 14 years and it never happened that on a Friday morning I became a star. I always believed in hard work and I guess this success is a result of the same. Interestingly, I have always been recognized by the characters I have played. It was only a year back people started noticing by my name. I believe that the best way to be recognized is through your work and not the privileges. Today, when I visit any market area I make sure that I am treated as a commoner first and then an actor.
What makes you sign a project?
For me, it is important that the story should have a message or motive. Till date, I have tried my best to select projects that have a message. It is important for us to understand that cinema is not just a means of entertainment, but something bigger than that. In my case, even if my character is not strong, but the story has a message, I prefer to sign such projects and that is evident from my career graph. As a professional, I feel that it is important to know what you are doing and why? I got the answer to this question in the very beginning of my career, so making the right choice has never been as difficult as people think.
What makes you excited to enter 2019 as a professional?
Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai and Satish Kaushik’s Kaagaz are two projects where I have tried to experiment a lot and both the projects are making me feel excited to know how the audience will react to each one of them. In Kaagaz I am playing the lead role, so I guess there is a huge responsibility on my shoulders, so I am waiting for the release and let’s see. Otherwise, keeping my choosy nature in place, my schedule is packed till September, so I am pretty excited to fulfil all my commitments and see where the professional life leads to.
How do you groom yourself as an actor?
I guess involving all the elements around the surrounding helps me perform better and that is the natural way I prefer to groom myself. When people talk about perfect acting and timing, I beg to differ because there is nothing called perfect in acting and life per se. It is a comforting factor that we humans have defined to make things easier in life. For me, it is important to go natural with the scene or sequence. We need to understand that the way we react in life, we need to react in a similar fashion on the screen to make it look real. The moment an actor starts acting, it is actually the downfall of the profession and person individually. I try not to do that and be real as much as possible.
How far improvisation plays a key role in your acting graph?
(Laughs) It is the key to my career and where I stand today. With due respect to all the writers and directors, I am one of those actors who rely completely on improvisation. If I am asked to learn the dialogues and then face the camera, it is just not my thing. For me, it is important to understand the soul of the scene and then I go with the flow and deliver my dialogues. It has been there ever since I started my career and I think that’s the biggest USP as a professional.
Rapid Fire
Favourite co-actor: All of them I have worked with!
First audition: For Lakshay in Delhi
Your inspiration: Irrfan Khan, Om Puri, Manoj Bajpai, Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah, Shah Rukh Khan and many more!
Favourite holiday destination in India: North-East
One director, you wish to work with: I am working with him (secret)
Favourite actor/actress: Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone
Favourite dish that you can cook: Baatein (chit-chat)
Web series/silver screen: Both
Mirzapur/Sacred Games: Both
Tips for aspiring actors: Be sincere and genuine to your dreams
Credits
Cover shoot by : Amit Khanna
Hair and Makeup : Sahil Anand Arora & Priya Yolmo Bhatia
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