What has been Pankaj Tripathi's emotional high point in his 18-year journey through 80 films?
He shares the moment with Rediff.com Contributor Roshmila Bhattacharya and adds, "I was alone in the room... I started crying."
Your character in Mimi is supportive, caring, steadfast. He has all the qualities of a Hindi film hero...
No, I wouldn't call him that because most Hindi film heroes are virtuous and one-dimensional.
Bhanupratap (his character in Mimi) is neither black nor white; he has shades of grey.
First, he's a little cunning, a little greedy, a little scheming, but aage chalk (later), you see a transformation in him.
If he is a hero, then I would say he is a realistic one.
For Mimi, your co-star Kriti Sanon put on 15 kilos to look believably pregnant...
Yes, she would eat all day, but khaya use (she binged a lot).
IMAGE: Pankaj Tripathi with Manoj Pahwa, Kriti Sanon and Supriya Pathak in Mimi.
What does she like to eat?
Punjabi hai, khana ki shaken hai (she loves eating).
She eats everything from butter chicken to a special avocado sandwich.
I got to taste the sandwiches, too; they were delicious.
Stree, Arjun Patiala, Luka Chuppi, Angrezi Medium and now Mimi. You seem to have become an integral part of Dinesh Vijan's Maddock Films.
Yes, it's an alag a bonding with them, and God willing, we will make many more films together.
Dinesh respects his actors, cares for them on the sets, puts his faith in them, and gives them a lot of creative liberty.
When he comes to me with a script, he says, 'Agar maza aaye, only if you like it, say yes, else you don't have to do my film.'
Which producer says that?
IMAGE: Pankaj Tripathi with Rajkummar Rao in Stree.
You are doing the Oh My God sequel.
(Interrupts) There's been no official announcement yet.
Okay, if God were to appear before you suddenly, what would you ask him?
(After a thoughtful pause) Hmmm, maybe nothing. Eshwar ko sab pata hai (God knows everything), so what do I ask or tell Him?
He would probably smile at me and ask, 'Khana khaya?'
And I would thank him for the name, fame, and acclaim I have got so far.
Never had I imagined even in my wildest dreams that this 18-year-journey through 80 films would bring me so much love, respect, and appreciation. From people in Bengal, the northeast... from across the country and the world.
I will be eternally grateful to God and my evolved audience, who understand me and have accepted me so wholeheartedly.
All this is so unexpected and so satisfying. I never thought I would become such a church it abhinaya (popular actor).
When you go back to your village in Bihar, what kind of a reception do you get there?
I just returned around 10 days ago. I attended the birthday celebrations of a little girl who lived at the other end of the village from us.
By the time I got home, it was 11 pm, and that's really late in the village.
I was surprised to see 10 kids waiting outside my door.
Inquiries revealed that they had come from 30 km away, and I was instantly worried, wondering how they would get home at that hour.
I even asked them why they had traveled so far, and they said, very simply, 'Jab humein pata Chala AAP Aaye hain we had to come and meet you.'
I feel so humbled to know that people would come from miles away to see an actor and take a selfie with him.
A character that has become very popular is Madhav Mishra from the Web series, Criminal Justice: Behind Closed Doors. When is Season 3 coming?
It should be out next year.
I know it is being made for sure because I have been contacted by Applause Entertainment and BBC Studios.
Madhav Mishra hasn't been spoken about much in the mainstream media, but I'm really close to this character. He's so relatable.
You may not bump into a Kaleembhaiya (his character in the Web series Mirzapur) easily in real life, but you would see a Madhav Mishra in the bus if you looked around the train or the boat.
He is one of us.
IMAGE: Pankaj Tripathi with Anupriya Goenka in Criminal Justice.
OTT is eroding star power and creating superstars like Pratik Gandhi, Vikrant Massey, Manoj Bajpayee, and you. That must be so heartening.
Achcha hai, it's a democratic platform where your opening is not determined by box office collections.
When that parameter disappears, achcha aur bra ka alag Parikh Hota hai (distinguish between what is good and bad differently).
You recently completed Sajid Nadiadwala's Bachchan Pandey, in which Akshay Kumar reportedly plays a gangster who aspires to be an actor. What was the experience like?
Amazing, bahut maza aaya (it was delightful).
I met Akshay sir for the first time on the set, and we bonded well.
All the stories about how disciplined he is are true.
I am not so strict about my daily regime.
If I could be as disciplined as him, life sudhar Jaye (my life will improve).
Sometimes he would invite me to join him for an evening meal. His bhajan (meal) is simple, healthy, and delicious.
The buzz is that you have become the brand ambassador for the Narcotics Control Bureau.
(Interrupts) Some officials from the NCB's Patna Zonal Unit got in touch with me and requested me to feature in a video on the occasion of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking to spread awareness and a social message.
That video went viral, and the news spread that I had become their brand ambassador.
NCB is a social organization and not a brand, so why would it need a brand ambassador?
What has been the high point of this 18-year journey as an actor so far?
The emotional high point would definitely be the National Award (he got a Special Mention at the 65th National Awards for his performance in Newton).
I was alone in the room when it was announced aur main bhavuk ho Gaya (and I was overwhelmed).
I started crying.
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