Social media means expectations, and I am not made for it: Pankaj
In a time when social media are an inescapable reality of life — more so for public figures — actor Pankaj Tripathi has managed to keep his distance from it. And it isn’t just social media — Tripathi doesn’t use the common messaging application WhatsApp. He had to join Facebook and Twitter upon the persuasion of his social media team during the promotion of one of his earlier films.
“I am not averse to social media, but it’s just that it comes with responsibility and expectations. I get several messages on social media, and trust me, I don’t get time to reply to all of them at times,” says Pankaj, before adding that he does “try to read them whenever he gets time.”
Though Pankaj might not write back to his fans via social media, he has his own way of replying to them. “Young actors write to me and ask for guidance. So, while giving interviews or whenever I am a part of any discussion, I try and bring topics [related to those questions] up, and talk about it. That’s how I usually answer them,” says the actor, who had a good run at the box office last year with Stree.
Asked what keeps him away from WhatsApp, Pankaj says, “In WhatsApp, I am told you can be seen online, so people see me online and they expect me to reply. I can be busy at the time but not responding to them might hurt. So, I use my phone mostly to call and text whenever required. I don’t think I am made for social media, or maybe I am not ready for it,” he says, adding that he has no music apps installed either. “I search for songs online and then listen to them,” the actor shares.