‘I am versatile, I don’t just play gangsters’
Pankaj Tripathi is a sought-after actor who will appear next in ‘Sacred Games 2’
ACTOR Gulshan Devaiah, pictured, who is teaming up with Manoj Bajpayee for the first time in Hinterland, says he admires the way the senior actor lends authenticity to the characters he portrays.
“When I heard the script, I loved it and found it really interesting as well as challenging. It’s going to be an exciting journey shooting (the film). I play the brother to Manoj’s character in the film,” Deviah said.
“I have watched Manoj’s work and really admire him for the authenticity he lends to every character. He’s a phenomenal actor and a big inspiration.” “BAAP re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain,” actor Pankaj Tripathi exclaims in acknowledgement of the love and praise he has received for his versatile roles across films and web series over the years. He says he is swamped with good scripts, but doesn’t have enough time to devote to them all.
“People have really liked Mirzapur. The public is giving a lot of love ... Baap re baap, ab itne log jaanne lag gaye hain (so many people have started recognising me). I don’t know what’s happening. I am only doing my work with sincerity,” Pankaj said.
From playing Sultan Qureshi in Gangs of Wasseypur, to a leading role in Gurgaon, to playing pivotal roles in web series like Sacred Games and Mirzapur, Pankaj’s growth trajectory is a shining example of how character artistes are coming into their own within the changing landscape of Indian showbiz.
It is safe to say he has almost become synonymous with gangster characters, but one cannot miss his roles in films like Newton, Bareilly Ki Barfi and Angrezi Mein Kehte Hain.
“I feel people want to watch crime stories and explore the genre, but honestly, I don’t like a lot of khoon kharaba (bloodshed). Even in Mirzapur, I am not seen indulging in any bloodshed. Even in Gangs of Wasseypur, my character was brutal, but was seen shooting once or twice.
“I am not fond of brutal scenes. I like simple, ordinary tales, but I think the youth likes such crime stories and so they are made,” said Pankaj, who will be seen in Sacred Games 2. He will also be seen in comic and satirical films such as Abhi Toh Party Shuru Hui Hai and Luka Chhupi.
“There are so many offers, but I am booked until August. I’m getting some wonderful scripts in the independent cinema space, but there’s no time. Either I am telling the filmmakers to wait for me… but nobody will wait for me till next year. Still, I am taking out time in between everything and managing what I can,” said the National School of Drama alumnus on the sidelines of the recent International Film Festival of India (IFFI).
A national award winner, Pankaj, who comes from Bihar, will also be seen as a flamboyant South Indian film star in Indrajit Lankesh’s Shakeela and as a farmer in Satish Kaushik’s Kaagaz.
“There’s not even a slap in Kaagaz. It’s a simple, ordinary tale and I like simplicity. I don’t understand crime, but if I get some interesting role with a layered character, then I get interested.”
Citing the example of his Mirzapur character, Kaleen Bhaiya, Pankaj said: “He creates a fear in your mind, but he doesn’t do anything. He keeps sitting on a chair without saying much. In fact, he comes across as a caring father, a good husband and a son ... So I enjoy playing such characters.”
There is a lot that Pankaj adds to his roles, taking it beyond the written character.
“I do some writing in all my roles. There are small things that I improvise on. I read a lot, and travel a lot, so there is a reflection of that when I talk,” he explained.
All in all, he says, he is experiencing a “good phase” in his career.