In the dynamic realm of Indian cinema, where artists often traverse linguistic boundaries, Pankaj Tripathi stands as an unwavering advocate for his Hindi roots. Despite luring offers from the Telugu film industry, the distinguished actor, adorned with a nationwide fan base and an impressive filmography, recently shared insights at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) about the pivotal role the “language barrier” plays in shaping his career decisions.
Tripathi, known for his stellar performances, revealed, “I get a lot of good offers from the Telugu film industry, even for big films. It is also because I’m not able to speak the languages.” Reflecting on his venture into South Indian cinema with Veeru Potla’s ‘Doosukeltha,’ he candidly acknowledged, “So it is due to the language barrier. Otherwise, I would love to do something down south.” Despite these challenges, his upcoming project, “Kadak Singh,” helmed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury of “Pink” fame, exemplifies his unwavering dedication to Hindi cinema.
In a contemplative analysis of the evolving landscape of stardom, Tripathi, who recently graced the screens in “OMG 2,” remarked on the fading trend of actors being pigeonholed by specific mannerisms or styles. Discussing the hurdles of experimentation, he added, “Agar woh stardom ka darja mil jaae toh hum apne create kiya hue mannerism me phass jaate hain and experimentation becomes difficult” (If one achieves the status of stardom, they tend to get stuck in their created mannerisms, making experimentation challenging).
During the discussion, moderator Mayank Shekhar highlighted the lack of due credit for Tripathi’s role in “Run.” Responding with sagacity, the actor stated, “It’s the story of life. Kabhi credit milega, kabhi nahi.
Tripathi’s commitment to his craft found resonance in the words of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Recalling Bhatt’s appreciation after his performance in the satirical drama “Newton,” Tripathi shared, “He told me, ‘Pankaj, I’ve called you to say that you were very good in the film. In three or four places, you were out of focus in a wide-angle shot as you were standing far behind. So just maintain this truth in your acting.’” It is this unwavering dedication to authenticity that defines Pankaj Tripathi’s illustrious journey in the world of Indian cinema.