Entertaining, yet socially relevant
That’s the kind of movies National Award winner Pankaj Tripathi wants to focus on among other things
The National Film Award Special Mention this year after a long journey dotted with several immensely intense portrayals has also brought new responsibilities for Pankaj Tripathi.
A matter of pride
Receiving the special mention for his performance in Newton, a dark comedy on the electoral system of India, which also won the National Award for Best Hindi Film, Tripathi is happy that the highest recognition to his art has come through this meaningful film in which he plays a paramilitary officer.
“I have been associated with the industry in one way or the other for almost 20 years now but my craft has got recognised through Newton, which was also nominated for the Oscars... But the National Award has given me much more happiness than any international acclaim,” Tripathi, who was on a shooting schedule recently in Lucknow, said.
“The National Award is a matter of pride for me and it has also increased my responsibilities towards the country... My effort from now on will be to do cinema which gives a message to society,” Tripathi.
Doing off-beat films
Besides Newton, the actor was seen in string of films such as Bareilly Ki Barfi, Anaarkali of Aarah, Kaalakaandi, Fukrey Returns, Munna Michael, Coffee with D and Gurgaon last year. “In the recent past, I had been doing two commercial and two off-beat films yearly... I will continue to do commercial films, but will be more alert is choosing the subjects from now on... I will make a conscious effort to pick up roles which give a social message besides being entertaining,” Tripathi said, adding that “Masaan” and Nil Batte Sannata were two such films.