Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari changed my image in Bollywood: Pankaj

Pankaj Tripathi’s year seems to be only getting better. With movies like Stree and Newton (2017) and shows like Sacred Games and Powder, the actor has been leaving his mark on every medium. Currently, the Masaan (2015) actor is shooting for Shakeela and Luka Chuppi. The latter is a romantic comedy produced by Dinesh Vijan. He talks about how good equations with fellow industry members is definitely a work perk.

Before Luka Chuppi, Pankaj worked with Dinesh in Stree. The bonus, while filming, turned out to be the camaraderie he shares with Kriti Sanon, who he worked with in Bareilly Ki Barfi (2017). “I share a special bond with Dinesh, and he insisted I do Luka Chhupi. After reading the script, I told him I wanted to play a character different from the one that he recommended. He willingly agreed and I am playing that role now,” says Pankaj.

He also holds film-maker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari in high regard and has now become a constant in all her films. “Ashwiny is the reason my image in Bollywood took a complete turn. Till then, I was the gangster and sidekick, but in Nil Battey Sannata (2016) I became the headmaster, in Bareilly Ki Barfi she made me the doting dad and now the shoot for Panga is set to begin too,” says Pankaj, adding, “She likes my work and I like her scripts so we made a deal to always work together no matter what film. Even if it is just a guest appearance. Some bonds should be nurtured and thisisoneofthem.”